PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

National Audit Office: Information Officers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission how many press officers are employed by the National Audit Office.

Alan Williams: The National Audit Office employs one head of press office and three press officers.

JUSTICE

House of Lords: Reform

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on proposals for legislative reform of the House of Lords.

Jack Straw: I outlined the Government plans on the immediate next steps on House of Lords reform in my statement on 19 July 2007,  Official Report, column 449. I hope to be able to publish a further White Paper around the turn of the year, with the aim of producing draft clauses that would form elements of the final draft Bill. My intention through the work of the cross-party working group on Lords reform is to formulate a comprehensive reform package that we would put to the electorate as a manifesto commitment at the next general election. All proposals have been and will continue to be the subject to clearance with Cabinet colleagues in the normal way.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Commission: Information Officers

Mark Hoban: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how many press officers are employed by the Electoral Commission.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that it employs three media relations officers and a media relations manager.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

School Visits

Ian Lucas: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the Commission will consider making funding available for school visits to the Houses of Parliament.

Nick Harvey: In its report on Improving Facilities for Educational Visitors to Parliament in April this year the Administration Committee recommended that consideration should be given to subsidising school visits to Westminster from more remote constituencies. The Commission is interested in this possibility and the Administration Committee has agreed to the introduction of a pilot scheme to assess the merits of alternative approaches. The pilot is planned to take place early in the next financial year.

Members: Proof of Identity

John Battle: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many hon. Members' staff passes were valid on the dates of 1 July  (a) 1987,  (b) 1997 and  (c) 2007.

Nick Harvey: The earliest information on Members' staff passes is from 1998 and then each year from 2002 to 2007. The numbers show a 16 per cent. increase since 1998 and a 10 per cent. increase since 2002.
	
		
			   Number 
			 1998 1,344 
			 2002 1,421 
			 2003 1,459 
			 2004 1,427 
			 2005 1,400 
			 2006 1,565 
			 2007 1,558

Members: Proof of Identity

John Battle: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many House of Commons Press Gallery passes were valid on the dates of 1 July  (a) 1987,  (b) 1997 and  (c) 2007.

Nick Harvey: The number of media passes now is broadly the same as in 2002 (the earliest year we have information available), although there was a drop in years 2004-06.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2002 445 
			 2003 459 
			 2004 431 
			 2005 408 
			 2006 420 
			 2007 442

Refreshment Department: Consultants

Janet Anderson: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the cost will be to the House of Commons Refreshment Department of the research being undertaken by the Russell Partnership.

Nick Harvey: The Russell Partnership is currently undertaking two research projects for the House of Commons Refreshment Department:
	an operational and financial benchmarking review of catering and retail services; and,
	customer research to provide qualitative input for the benchmarking review.
	Further to my reply to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on 26 June 2007,  Official Report, column 658W, the tendered price to interview a sample of around 35 MPs and to conduct a survey among staff of the House and Members' staff was £6,950. The cost of the benchmarking review will be up to £26,250.
	Both contracts were awarded following competitive tendering exercises under the House of Commons consultancy framework agreement. The research is being carried out in response to recommendations made by the Administration Committee in their report on Refreshment Department Services (HC 733) published on 14 February 2006.

Speaker: Legal Opinion

Simon Burns: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will make a statement on the matter of legal advice recently given to the Speaker and its cost.

Nick Harvey: During July and August, the House administration endorsed the Speaker's use of the firm Carter Ruck to counteract a series of articles that were published in the media which questioned the impartiality of the Speaker in his official role. The cost of this advice was £18,696.06.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma: United Nations

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what information his Department has about reports that UN Development Programme (UNDP) project staff in Burma have had to pay up to two months salary to UNDP national staff to retain their jobs.

Shahid Malik: DFID has raised this matter with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP has carried out an investigation which failed to reveal any evidence to support that allegation. Subsequently, UNDP invited all its staff in Burma to complete a detailed confidential questionnaire on transparency, accountability and conflict of interest issues. UNDP is currently analysing the responses.
	UNDP take incidents and allegations of misconduct extremely seriously, and continue to seek ways to ensure that transparency and accountability are a priority of their programme in Burma. UNDP has reviewed the operational procedures of their programmes and have begun to put in place additional safeguards to ensure the efficient, effective and appropriate use of resources. An internal oversight unit is now being established and a more robust grievance mechanism set up to deal with issues raised by staff, beneficiaries, various other stakeholders and the general public. A code of conduct training for all UN staff in Burma is due to begin soon, focusing on, among other things, transparency, accountability, conflict of interest, abuse of authority and harassment.

Departments: Publicity

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's projected spending is on advertising and promotional campaigns for  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09, broken down by cost relating to (i) television, (ii) radio and (iii) print media.

Shahid Malik: For the period 2007-08:
	(i) DFID has not to date advertised or run promotional campaigns on television, and has no current plans to do so.
	(ii) DFID has not to date advertised or run promotional campaigns on radio, and has no current plans to do so.
	(iii) DFID has not to date run any promotional campaigns in print media, and has no current plans to do so. DFID's advertising spend is for recruitment and procurement purposes, and is estimated at £260,000.
	A projected figure for the overall period cannot be supplied as budgets for promotional activities and advertising in 2008-09 have yet to be put in place, and it is yet to be determined what promotional activity or advertising will take place.

India

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he classes India as a low-income country or a middle-income country; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: DFID currently classes India as a low-income country. This is in line with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) classification, recognised and used by the international donor community.
	The OECD bases its classification on the World Bank's World Development Indicators report. This currently states that India is a low-income economy because its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita was calculated as $730 in 2005, well under the $875 per capita or more that would mean graduation to middle-income country status.

India and China: Overseas Aid

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's long-term expenditure strategy is for  (a) India and  (b) China; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: DFID's bilateral expenditure in India is £266 million for 2007-08.
	DFID's bilateral expenditure in China is £33.4 million for 2007-08.
	For future years we are awaiting the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review which will determine our long-term expenditure in both countries. However, we expect to terminate our bilateral programme in China by the end of 2011.

International Assistance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the main proposed budget headings are for the £20 million funding announced on 5 April for activities in emergency and post-crisis countries over the next five years; and how much of this funding will be provided for the first global roster for education in emergencies.

Shahid Malik: The programme of work to be covered by the £20 million announced on 5 April is currently being discussed by DFID and UNICEF. It has not yet been finalised.

International Assistance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department plans to take to implement the UK's contribution to the new global roster for emergency humanitarian education services.

Shahid Malik: UNICEF and Save the Children Alliance (SCA) share responsibility for the provision of education in emergencies, and DFID is closely following the progress that they are making in establishing a global roster of education experts to be deployed in emergencies. DFID has provided UNICEF with £4 million per year from 2006 to 2009 to support their role in responding to emergencies, which includes building education response capacity.

International Assistance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the first global roster for emergency humanitarian education services announced on 5 April will be operational.

Shahid Malik: UNICEF and Save the Children Alliance (SCA), who share responsibility for education provision in emergencies, are currently working on establishing the global roster of education experts. It is too soon to say when this roster will be operational. DFID is closely monitoring progress.

Iraq: Overseas Aid

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what sectoral priorities the Government is supporting through aid in Iraq.

Shahid Malik: Iraq is a wealthy country, with Government revenues expected to be around $33 billion this year. Our priority is helping the Iraqi Government to unlock the potential of its human and financial resources to enable growth and deliver better public services to its own people. We also aim to internationalise the aid effort by leveraging a more effective role for key players such as the World Bank and IMF and we support the most vulnerable Iraqis through contributions to humanitarian agencies.
	Since March 2003, the UK Government have provided £744 million for these reconstruction and development priorities in Iraq. This includes £90 million for infrastructure projects and £125 million for humanitarian agencies. Current programmes include: an Economic Reform Programme advising the Iraqi Government on macro-economic, fiscal and public financial management issues; our Support of Centre of Government programme to help build key Government institutions of central Government including the Prime Minister's office; and work through the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Basra to promote public and private investment. We are also supporting the establishment of institutions including the Basra Investment Promotion Agency and Basra Development Fund designed to promote private sector development and credit for small and medium enterprises. This work is already serving as a model for assistance elsewhere in Iraq.

Maldives: Overseas Aid

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid the Government has given to help develop the Maldives in each year since 1997.

Shahid Malik: Details of the UK's bilateral assistance and imputed multilateral assistance to the Maldives since 1997 are laid out in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: UK total bilateral gross public expenditure on development in the Maldives 1997-98 to 2006-07 
			  Financial year  Bilateral expenditure (£000) 
			 1997-98 292 
			 1998-99 310 
			 1999-2000 292 
			 2000-01 286 
			 2001-02 83 
			 2002-03 195 
			 2003-04 199 
			 2004-05 808 
			 2005-06 405 
			 2006-07 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Imputed UK share of multilateral aid to the Maldives for 1997 to 2005 
			  Calendar year  Imputed aid (£000) 
			 1997 420 
			 1998 368 
			 1999 173 
			 2000 369 
			 2001 276 
			 2002 347 
			 2003 703 
			 2004 309 
			 2005 1,163

Peru: Overseas Aid

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial and other commitments the Government has made following the earthquake in southern Peru; and what steps he is taking to ensure that aid is received by those in need.

Shahid Malik: DFID contributed £750,000 to the Peru earthquake response to help provide sanitation and washing facilities for those affected; to assist in planning for longer-term rebuilding; and to ensure that buildings in the area are better able to withstand earthquakes. We also paid for the British leader of the UN's disaster assessment and coordination team. Our assessment of the people affected by the earthquake showed that funding in this way was the best way for DFID to support those most in need. We will monitor progress.
	The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UN CERF) has allocated US $9.6 million. The United Kingdom is the largest donor to the UN CERF, contributing 25 per cent. of its budget this year based on current calculations (the UK has provided $83.7 million of $329 million so far contributed).
	The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) provided €8 million. DFID's share via ECHO was approximately £970,000—17.4 per cent.

Philippines: Overseas Aid

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the UK Government gave to the Government of the Philippines in the last year for which figures are available.

Shahid Malik: In 2006-07 the UK gave £143,000 in bilateral aid to the Government of the Philippines.

South East Asia: Overseas Aid

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid has been given to help those affected by the recent flooding in South East Asia.

Shahid Malik: DFID responded to the floods in South Asia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. We did not receive requests for assistance from South East Asian states.
	In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DFID contributed £650,000
	£500,000 through WFP to provide food, clean water and safeguard people against water borne diseases.
	£149,422 to Save the Children for essential health care support.
	We have also offered support to the UN if required to assist with co-ordinating the relief effort.
	In South Asia DFID contributed over £5 million to help the worst affected countries.
	In Bangladesh we contributed £2.1 million through the Chars Livelihood Programme, United Nations Development Programme and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) to provide food, water, emergency shelter and medicines to help more than 1 million people in the worst-affected districts.
	In Pakistan, we contributed £2.2 million through the Pakistani Rural Support Programme Network, the United Nations, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) providing multi-sectoral immediate relief as well as livelihoods assistance.
	In India, DFID gave Save the Children £750,000 to provide general relief items, healthcare and livelihood support, children's education and protection to 13,341 families (including 31,660 children).

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children's Centres: Standards

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of children's centres in targeting the most disadvantaged children and families; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure children's centres are father friendly; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of children's centres' effectiveness in working with community organisations.

Beverley Hughes: We now have over 1,400 children's centres up and running providing services to, predominantly, the most disadvantaged communities. The National Evaluation of Sure Start (NESS) findings on the early impact of 150 of the first Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLPs) (November 2005) identified that of those families in the most disadvantaged areas served by SSLPs, 86 per cent. of the parents in the sample were benefiting from Sure Start. However, this evaluation also found that some of the most socially excluded groups could not be shown to be benefiting from living in a SSLP area. Although the NESS methodology could not identify whether any of the children in the sample had actually attended a Sure Start centre or not, we have taken a number of steps to ensure that the most excluded partners benefit.
	In November 2005 the Department issued 'Practice Guidance' to encourage greater use of outreach and home-visiting services by children's centres to reach the most disadvantaged families, which we then updated in November 2006.
	To encourage better monitoring and a more systematic approach we issued Planning and Performance Management Guidance in November 2006 which contains a framework for centres to assess their progress in reaching excluded groups in their area.
	We also commissioned Together for Children (TfC) to produce a toolkit, issued in December 2006, to complement our Practice Guidance and support centres in gathering information about their area and recording how they engage with excluded groups.
	In August, we announced significant additional funds for children's centres for 2008-11 including funding to enable local authorities to add two outreach workers to centres serving the most disadvantaged communities, with a particular emphasis on reaching out to and supporting more fathers.
	Research evidence shows that the impact a father's early involvement has on their child is long-lasting. Our revised Practice Guidance therefore emphasises the crucial role fathers have to play in giving their children the best start in life. It provides advice about how children's centres can tailor their services to meet the needs of fathers, including non-resident parents, how staff should be encouraged to engage proactively with fathers and specific areas where fathers may require additional support. The Planning and Performance Management guidance recommends that children's centres assess how well they engage with fathers and the TfC toolkit includes advice on working with fathers.
	We have not made an assessment of how well children's centres work with organisations from the community sector. However, an early survey of Phase 1 children's centres showed that 82 per cent. of children's centres had contracts with the voluntary sector for services. The Practice Guidance makes clear that local authorities must work with those organisations that have a track record of understanding local needs and delivering services that improve children's outcomes. In addition, we require local authorities to consult and consider using all private, voluntary and community sector organisations in the area when planning and developing children's centres services. In 2008, local authorities must review all centres developed in 2003-06 to ensure that maximum use has been made of good quality local private, voluntary and community sector suppliers and repeat this exercise every two years. We expect local authorities to keep evidence that they have carried out the required reviews.

Children's Commissioner for England: Information Officers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many press officers are employed by the Children's Commissioner for England.

Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for the Children's Commissioner for England. Rob Williams, the chief executive of the Office of the Children's Commissioner, has written to the hon. Member with this information and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Rob Williams, dated 5 October 2007:
	I am writing to you in response to the parliamentary question that you recently tabled 154553. To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, how many press officers are employed by the Children's Commissioner.
	11 MILLION is a national organisation led by the Children's Commissioner for England, Professor Sir Albert Aynsley-Green. Our mission is to use our powers and independence to ensure that the views of children and young people are routinely asked for, listened to and that outcomes for children improve over time. We aim to do this in partnership with others, by bringing children and young people into the heart of the decision-making process to increase understanding of their best interests.
	Our two long-term goals are that children and young people see significant improvements in their wellbeing and can freely enjoy their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and that children and young people are more highly valued by adult society.
	In the financial year 2007/08, 11 MILLION has the equivalent of 2.5 staff members spread across two full-time press officers and other communications staff.
	A copy of this reply will be placed in the house library.

Departments: Publicity

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department's projected spending is on advertising and promotional campaigns for  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09, broken down by cost relating to (i) television, (ii) radio and (iii) print media.

Kevin Brennan: The Department's advertising spend in 2007-08 is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Spend to date  Projected spend 
			 Television 1.519 1.546 
			 Radio 0.944 1.432 
			 Print 0.180 0.470 
		
	
	Departmental spend on all promotional campaigns is not held centrally. This is funded from policy programmes and from within the central Advertising and Publicity (A and P) budget.
	The A and P budget for 2007-2008 is £13.5 million. In addition to funding promotional campaigns, this covers a wide variety of publicity activities (e.g. the Children's Plan consultation, magazines for teachers and governors and attendance at events like The Education Show), as well as marketing infrastructure support (e.g. paying for the Department's mailing house).
	It is not possible to provide figures for 2008-09. Budgets for individual campaigns will not be agreed until communications priorities and objectives for 2008-09 have been finalised and planning (informed by evaluation of 2007-08 activity) has been completed.

Health Education: Sex

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what representations he has received from the Youth Parliament on sex and relationships education in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Minister of State for Schools and Learners attended the launch on 4 July of the UK Youth Parliament's report "Sex and Relationships Education - Are You Getting It?"
	He commended the members of the Youth Parliament for their efforts in producing the report and said that the Department would consider it in more detail.

Play: Facilities

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what advice he has issued to local authorities on the commercial sponsorship of children's play facilities.

Kevin Brennan: We recognise fully the benefits of play for children and we continue to take steps to support and promote the provision of opportunities for play. We have not issued guidance on the commercial sponsorship of children's play facilities: funding for such facilities is a matter for each local authority to determine.

Pupils: Foreigners

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of  (a) primary and  (b) secondary school children in England are foreign nationals.

Beverley Hughes: The Department does not hold the requested information as schools are not required to separately identify pupils from overseas.

Pupils: Speech Therapy

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of speech therapists for pupils in schools;
	(2)  what the average waiting time was for a speech therapy assessment in each English local education authority in the last period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply.
	No assessment has been made centrally. It is for primary care trusts in partnership with local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, outlined in the national service frameworks, and to commission services accordingly. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community, including the provision of speech and language therapy (SLT).
	A major review into the provision of services for children and young people with speech, language and communications needs was announced on 11 September by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and the Secretary of State for Health. The review will report by summer 2008 and will build on the investment and improvements to SLT and resources in the last 10 years.
	Information about waiting times for SLT provided by the national health service (NHS) are not collected centrally. The Department of Health collects waiting times information by consultant led specialties. SLT is not a consultant led speciality. Our objective is to balance the need for data against the burden that data collection places on the NHS.

Respect Budget: Bournemouth

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding has been provided to Bournemouth through the Respect budget; and for what purposes.

Kevin Brennan: The total Respect grant allocated to Bournemouth between 2006-08 is £387,307.
	In 2006-07 the Respect Task Force provided Bournemouth borough council with a total grant of £48,860.
	This funding allocation contributed to Bournemouth council's wider effort to tackle antisocial behaviour and contributed towards the initial set up costs of its Family Intervention Project.
	In 2007-08 the Respect Task Force has made available a total Respect grant allocation of £338,447. This represents:
	£50,000 for a parenting expert, based in or linked to the antisocial behaviour team, to deliver additional parenting support to families. This funding was announced on 21 November 2006 and is available in 77 areas across England.
	£125,000 to improve Bournemouth's parenting services for families whose children are at risk of or involved in antisocial behaviour. The Respect Task Force announced this funding on 22 January 2007 as part of a wider announcement highlighting the commitment of 40 areas to become Respect areas, of which Bournemouth were announced as one. All Respect areas were invited to apply for £125,000.
	£128,447 allocated for the set-up and operation of its Family Intervention Project, one of 53 projects being established across the country.
	£35,000 Respect grant contribution has been allocated to Bournemouth's Local Area Agreement pot which can be used flexibly to deliver the Respect programme.
	In addition to direct Respect grants, Bournemouth can flexibly use other funds, pooled through Local Area Agreements to tackle antisocial behaviour and implement the Respect programme.

Young People: Expenditure

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether the planned extra expenditure on services aimed at young people will be ring-fenced; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Aiming High for Young People: A Ten Year Strategy for Positive Activities was launched on 26 July 2007. The strategy announced the DCSF comprehensive spending review (CSR) settlement in relation to services for young people, which provides an additional £184 million alongside continuing funding of £495 million for positive activities over the three year period 2008-09 to 2010-11.
	A relatively large proportion (around two thirds) of this proposed £679 million expenditure will be ring-fenced for specific purposes including for: centrally managed schemes; participatory budgeting by young people themselves; and initiatives within the third sector. The remainder of the monies will be pooled within the new area based grants and negotiated via local area agreements.

Youth Clubs: Finance

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many youth clubs are funded by his Department.

Beverley Hughes: Youth centres are delivered locally by local authorities through their youth provision and national and local voluntary youth organisations. Information is not held centrally on the number of youth centres at local, regional or national level.

Youth Clubs: Finance

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much has been spent on youth clubs by his Department in the last 12 months.

Beverley Hughes: Youth centres are delivered locally by local authorities through their youth provision and national and local voluntary youth organisations. Information is not held centrally on how much has been spent on youth centres at local, regional or national level.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Birds: Conservation

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Royal Society for Protection of Birds on increasing the number of marine wildlife reserves.

Jonathan R Shaw: As I indicated in a letter of 30 September 2007 to the Royal Society for Protection of Birds' (RSPB) chief executive, I would welcome an opportunity to hold discussions with the RSPB. These discussions could include consideration of marine wildlife reserves and the possibility of increasing their number.

Conservation: Solent

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of measures to protect the marine environment of the western Solent; whether he has plans to make legislative provision for those measures in a Marine Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Marine waters in England and Wales are assessed regularly by DEFRA and the Environment Agency. The most recent assessment of the state of the UK seas, "Charting Progress—an Integrated Assessment of the State of the UK Seas" (2005), contains a regional assessment of the Eastern English Channel which includes the Western Solent. Measures in place to protect the marine environment in the western Solent include 100 management plans and initiatives, covering all or part of the Solent, that address issues such as nature conservation, coastal defence and emergency planning.
	The Marine Bill will enable us to take a significant step forward in the way we plan for and manage activities in the marine area. It will provide us with the tools to deliver better protection for marine life, and integrated planning and management of our seas, coasts and estuaries. DEFRA officials are working closely with organisations in the western Solent to ensure that the Marine Bill proposals are developed in a way that can be beneficial for that, and other, local areas.

Dredging

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the process of applying for and being granted a licence to dredge off the coast of England; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many licences were  (a) granted and  (b) refused for dredging off the coast of (i) England and (ii) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how much was received for dredging licences in respect of sites off the coast of  (a) England and  (b) the East Riding of Yorkshire in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The hon. Member's questions appear to concern the dredging of marine minerals (the extraction of sand and gravel from the seabed to be landed for use in construction or beach maintenance) rather than dredging more generally. I will therefore confine my answer to this area.
	The Crown Estate, as landowner up to 12 miles offshore and the owner of the rights to non-energy minerals within the UK continental shelf and beyond, issues licences to dredge for marine minerals. Thirteen licences were issued in the last 10 years. The numbers issued in each year are set out in Table 1. No licences were issued for dredging off the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire in this period and no marine minerals dredging is currently licensed there. The closest that any such dredging currently takes place to this coast is to the south of Spurn Head and some 10 kilometres off the coast of Lincolnshire which the Crown Estate refers to as the Humber region for administrative purposes. Two licences were issued in this area, in 2000.
	No licences were refused during this period. Licence proposals that were likely to be refused were either abandoned by the prospective applicant before submission as applications, or withdrawn before any formal decision was made.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   Licences issued for English  w aters 
			 1997 0 
			 1998 0 
			 1999 1 
			 2000 3 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 1 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 2 
			 2006 4 
			 Total 13 
		
	
	The Crown Estate receives royalties from operators for every tonne of aggregate that is dredged from the seabed that it either owns or controls. Table 2 shows the royalties it has received from English dredging operations over the past 10 years. Net income received by the Crown Estate is paid into the consolidated fund. As there is no aggregate dredging there, no royalties have been received from dredging off the coast of the East Riding of Yorkshire.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  £ million 
			  Year  Crown Estate royalties for English waters 
			 1997 9.13 
			 1998 9.46 
			 1999 11.87 
			 2000 12.48 
			 2001 11.38 
			 2002 12.11 
			 2003 12.15 
			 2004 12.25 
			 2005 12.60 
			 2006 13.27 
			 Total 116.70 
		
	
	The Crown Estate only issues a licence when it has received the consent of central Government to the proposal. In the period in question, Government consent was delivered through the Government View system.
	Until 1 April this year, the Department for Communities and Local Government was responsible for keeping the effectiveness of the process for giving Government's consent under review. Since then DEFRA has been responsible.
	As a result of ongoing assessment and regular dialogue with stakeholders, the Government concluded that the existing process needed updating to make the system more transparent and efficient, and to reflect relevant European legislation. A new system to do this was introduced by the Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007 which came into force on 1 May this year.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that decisions on applications are made on the basis of the best possible scientific evidence. In recent years much research has been carried out on understanding coastal processes and the potential impacts of aggregate dredging. DEFRA has recently published a report on this work, funded by the Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (which was set up by DEFRA), entitled 'Marine Aggregate Dredging: Helping to Determine Good Practice', published 9 July 2007. This work supports the Government's increasingly sophisticated management of aggregate extraction integrated with the protection of resources of conservation and heritage significance. We are not aware of any scientific evidence to indicate that marine minerals dredging, as controlled by the Government since 1968, has had any effect on the coast or significantly affected the marine environment. The Government are satisfied that the regulation of marine minerals dredging is both effective and adequate.

Farms: Mushrooms

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action is being taken under the latest statutory guidelines to control emissions from mushroom farms.

Phil Woolas: Statutory guidance note PG6/30(06) specified various improvements to mushroom substrate manufacturing installations for completion in most cases before 1 March 2007. Local authorities are required to have regard to such guidance, but must ultimately decide on pollution control standards in each individual case, taking account of site-specific factors.
	I understand that the TunnelTech mushroom composting plant regulated by Bassetlaw district council has been served with an enforcement notice requiring improvements to be made by 30 June 2008 and that the improvements go beyond those specified in the guidance.

Fisheries: Closures

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which fisheries have closed in each month during 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: UK Fisheries Administrations have closed, in-year, a total of six fisheries to all UK registered vessels. These are set out in the table as follows:
	
		
			  Fishery  Month of closure 
			 North Sea Sandeels May 
			 Herring Vll July 
			 Deep Sea tusk V, VI, VII July 
			 West of Scotland herring September 
			 Irish Sea haddock September 
			 Bluefin tuna Atlantic Ocean, east of 45, and Mediterranean October 
		
	
	These closures are kept under review and, if quota becomes available from outside the UK, it is possible that they may be re-opened. Further fishery closures at a UK-level will be undertaken if the UK quota for particular stocks is taken in full.

Fisheries: Quotas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has for quota swaps to increase fishing opportunities for the under-10 metre fleet; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA) is exploring all options for acquiring additional fishing opportunities for 10 metre and under vessels, including through quota swaps. This work has been under way throughout 2007 and will continue, particularly for those stocks for which the 10 metre and under vessels have the greatest need. The opportunity to undertake such swaps is limited as those stocks are, in may cases, those under most pressure from other sectors of the UK industry and the fishing industry in other EU member states. A number of swap options are currently being considered. However, it is not possible to provide details at this time as to do so might prejudice the ability of the MFA to bring the negotiations to successful conclusions.

Flood Control

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of flood defences and structures owned and maintained by the Environment Agency were in a good or better condition in April 2007.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency does not own all of the flood defence assets that it maintains for the benefit of the general public.
	The proportion (by length) of flood defences such as raised walls and embankments, maintained by the Environment Agency that were in good or better condition in April 2007 was 55 per cent., with a further 40 per cent. in fair condition.
	The proportion (by number) of flood defence structures such as sluices and outfalls, maintained by the Environment Agency that were in good or better condition in April 2007 was 69 per cent., with a further 26 per cent. in fair condition.
	These assessments are based on visual inspections.

Flood Control: Climate Change

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to re-examine the planned levels of spending on the flood protection and water drainage infrastructure to meet the effects of climate change.

Phil Woolas: Funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management will increase from the current £600 million a year to £800 million a year by 2010-11. This reflects the evidence prepared for the comprehensive spending review and is consistent with the rate of increase suggested by the Foresight Future Flooding study, which took a long-term view of national flooding and coastal erosion risks to 2100.

Floods: Broadcasting Reception

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what contingencies are in place for the rapid relaying of flood warnings by the Environment Agency in the event of the sustained breakdown of the BBC digital signal on radio and television broadcasts; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency uses a range of methods for communicating flood warnings, which include automated telephone warnings. Radio and television broadcasts are also used and in the event of the sustained breakdown of these, the Environment Agency will use loudhailers (speakers mounted on Environment Agency vehicles) that can broadcast a pre-recorded warning message in the affected areas.
	In the event of severe flooding, gold command operations would be utilised.

Housing: Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many properties will be protected each year by the recently announced additional proposed expenditure for flood defences.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA introduced new outcome measures for flood and coastal erosion risk management and will be setting targets using them shortly. This will include the number of properties moving between probability bands. In setting targets, we will consider the funding levels we are able to set following the announcement of the Department's formal comprehensive spending review settlement. It is not yet known how many extra properties will be protected.

Institute for Animal Health: Waste Disposal

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when the last inspection of the effluent pipes at Pirbright took place; and if he will list the dates of the effluent pipe inspections at Pirbright since 2001;
	(2)  when Ministers were first informed that the effluent pipes at the Pirbright Institute for Animal Health were deficient and likely to leak effluent;
	(3)  when Ministers were first informed of requests to replace or renew the effluent pipes at Pirbright.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 17 September 2007
	The drainage systems of laboratories licensed by the Department to handle specified animal pathogens under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) 1998 are not routinely inspected. The responsibility for the integrity of the buildings and infrastructure rests with the licensee and the owners of the site. No specific concerns that would have suggested that the integrity of the effluent pipe system at Pirbright was at risk, were raised with DEFRA as licensor and regulator. DEFRA was not asked by the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) for money to replace or renew the drainage system because of concerns about the risk of effluent leakage. Any issues relating to funding of the effluent drainage system, whether remedial or replacement, would be a matter for the IAH and Merial (as the occupants of the Pirbright site), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (which owns the land and buildings on the Pirbright site) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) (as the IAH's and BBSRC's sponsoring Department).
	Until the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into potential biosecurity breaches at Pirbright was under way, there was no indication that there was a risk of effluent escaping from the drainage system; although there had been some concerns over the possibility of water leaking into the drains via the manhole covers, that was brought to DEFRA's attention. However, it had been recognised that the system was old. The HSE informed DEFRA Ministers, on 17 August, that leaks could have occurred from the system. On the same day, DEFRA contacted the IAH, which that afternoon put into effect a plan controlling access and strengthening biosecurity measures for movement of people and vehicles. The report from the HSE investigation contains a detailed inspection of the drainage system, and is available from the DEFRA website and the Libraries of the House.

Institute for Animal Health: Waste Disposal

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice Ministers received about the implications for bio security of the decision not to fund the repair of deficient pipework at the Pirbright Institute for Animal Health site.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 17 September 2007
	DEFRA is the licensor and regulator of the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) under the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) 1998. Prior to the Health and Safety Executive's advice in August 2007, neither the IAH, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), as owners of the site, nor anyone else raised concerns with DEFRA about possible biosecurity issues relating to the effluent drainage system.
	Any issues relating to funding of the effluent drainage system, whether remedial or replacement, would be a matter for the IAH and Merial (as the occupants of the Pirbright site), BBSRC (as the IAH's funding body) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) (as the IAH's and BBSRC's sponsoring Department). In its role as licensor and regulator, DEFRA was consulted about the requirements and specifications of a replacement effluent drainage system to meet extra capacity demand and to address concerns about water getting into the drains via the manhole covers, and was kept informed of progress in relation to instigation of the work. At no stage was any indication given to DEFRA, that there might be possible implications for biosecurity resulting from delays in agreeing funding between the parties concerned.

Utilities: Meters

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of differences in recent trends in charges by energy companies to customers with prepayment meters compared to those paying by direct debit on the achievement of fuel poverty targets.

Patrick McFadden: I have been asked to reply.
	The amount a customer is paying for their energy is one of the key determinants of whether such a household might be in fuel poverty, and we acknowledged in the Energy White Paper that the gap between direct debit and other payment methods has been increasing. I am encouraged by the work of Ofgem to highlight the savings prepayment customers can make by switching to a cheaper supplier. However, use of prepayment meters is not wholly synonymous with fuel poverty, and the majority of fuel poor customers pay for their gas and electricity by direct debit or standard credit. We will publish shortly our annual Fuel Poverty Progress Report which will include the latest data and projections on fuel poverty levels and a full examination of the factors driving the levels of fuel poverty, including energy market issues.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Armed Conflict

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions officials in his Office have held with officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding supporting of conflict resolution programmes overseas.

Shaun Woodward: The Government are always ready to share their experience of the Northern Ireland peace process where this might be of assistance to others. My officials have from time to time discussed with the FCO where such assistance might be offered, although no central record is kept of this.
	I can, however, confirm a number of recent instances of engagement by former NIO Ministers and officials in supporting conflict resolution. One of my predecessors as Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy), accompanied by a senior official in the Northern Ireland Office, visited Sri Lanka from 14-16 November 2006. One of my officials visited Tanzania from 5-8 July 2007 to share lessons from the Northern Ireland peace process which might help efforts to address political polarisation in Zanzibar. An NIO official also met with representatives of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government of Kosovo at a private conference in New York in April 2007 organised by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. In each case these engagements were discussed in advance with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Drugs

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland who were released from prison after serving a sentence for drug-related offences subsequently re-offended in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Re-offending data are not available and reconviction data are only available for those released from prison in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
	The following table gives the number of offenders that were released from prison for drug-related offences who were subsequently reconvicted for any offence within a two year period. Data are collated on the principal offence rule; thus only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Reconviction rates for those who were discharged from custody after serving sentences for drug offences (2001-03) and who were reconvicted for any offence within a two year period 
			   Number discharged from prison for drug offences  Number reconvicted for any offence within a two year period 
			 2001 59 17 
			 2002 56 18 
			 2003 53 23

Drugs

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average sentence handed down by the courts in Northern Ireland for  (a) possession of and  (b) dealing in drugs was in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is contained in the following tables.
	Tables 1 and 2 give the number of disposals and the average sentence length for each disposal type for unlawful possession of drugs and unlawful dealing in drugs respectively.
	Data cover the calendar years 2001 to 2005, the latest available years, and are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Table 1: Disposals given to those convicted of unlawful possession of drugs and the average sentence given by the courts for the years 2001-05 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Immediate custody 23 21 23 23 23 
			 Average sentence (months)(1,2) 6 11 8 7 8 
			   
			 Suspended custody 32 25 23 28 33 
			 Average sentence (months) 6 6 8 7 6 
			   
			 Community Service Order 17 13 8 8 15 
			 Average sentence (hours) 102 100 134 155 128 
			   
			 Attendance Centre Order 1 0 1 1 2 
			 Average sentence (hours) 12 — 12 24 18 
			   
			 Probation Order 33 18 29 36 31 
			 Average sentence (months) 12 12 14 12 15 
			   
			 Fine 175 192 242 263 314 
			 Average amount (£) 145 114 121 128 134 
			   
			 Combination Order 2 0 3 1 6 
			 Average probation period (months)(3) — — 18 12 12 
			 Average community service period (hours)(3) — — 80 100 83 
			   
			 Youth Conference Order(4) — — — 1 0 
			   
			 Conditional Discharge 25 25 45 40 29 
			   
			 Other(5) 2 3 4 0 4 
			   
			 Total number convicted 310 297 378 401 457 
			 '—' = Not applicable. (1) Data include those sentenced to prison, Young Offenders' Centre and those given Custody Probation Orders. (2) Average immediate custodial sentence length for 2002 excludes one sentenced to juvenile justice centre order; 2003 excludes one sentenced to a juvenile justice centre order and one sentenced to detention at the Secretary of State's pleasure; 2005 excludes two sentenced to a juvenile justice centre order. (3) Data are not available for the average probation period (months) and the average community service period (hours) for Combination Orders for 2001 and 2002. (4) Average sentence lengths are not given for Youth Conference Orders. (5) Other includes Absolute discharge and Recognisance. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Disposals given to those convicted of dealing in drugs and the average sentence given by the courts for the years 2001-05 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Immediate custody(1) 65 44 56 61 60 
			 Average sentence (months) 26 22 30 28 22 
			   
			 Suspended custody 65 40 35 67 47 
			 Average sentence (months) 19 18 17 20 20 
			   
			 Community Service Order 5 2 4 6 4 
			 Average sentence (hours) 116 170 133 145 180 
			   
			 Attendance Centre Order 0 0 0 1 0 
			 Average sentence (hours) — — — 24 — 
			   
			 Probation Order 2 6 7 14 11 
			 Average sentence (months) 24 20 19 18 16 
			   
			 Fine 7 14 9 20 16 
			 Average amount (£) 221 128 106 254 209 
			   
			 Combination Order 1 4 4 9 6 
			 Average probation period (months)(2) — — 15 17 14 
			 Average community service period (hours)(2) — — 95 78 65 
			   
			 Youth Conference Order(3) — — — 0 1 
			   
			 Conditional Discharge 6 2 4 4 4 
			   
			 Other(4) 1 0 0 0 0 
			   
			 Total number convicted 152 112 119 182 149 
			 '—' = Not applicable. (1) Data include those sentenced to prison, Young Offenders' Centre and those given Custody Probation Orders. (2) Data are not available for the average probation period (months) and the average community service period (hours) for Combination Orders for 2001 and 2002. (3) Average sentence lengths are not given for Youth Conference Orders. (4) Other includes Absolute discharge and Recognisance.

Northern Ireland Police Authority; Information Officers

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press officers are employed by the Northern Ireland Police.

Paul Goggins: The PSNI currently employ 16 personnel, filling 13 Press Officer positions (one of whom is part-time) and three Senior Press Officer positions.

Rates and Rating: Northern Ireland

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where responsibility lies for making changes to the system of local taxation in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Local taxation in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. The UK Government remain responsibility for taxes that apply to the United Kingdom as a whole.

Rates and Rating: Northern Ireland

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the UK Government are making a submission to the Northern Ireland Executive's review of domestic rates.

Shaun Woodward: Local Taxation in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the devolved Administration in Northern Ireland. The Government have no plans to make a submission to the review of domestic rates in Northern Ireland.

Rates and Rating: Northern Ireland

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 15 January 2007,  Official Report, column 955W, on valuation and rating, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent by the Rate Collection Agency's Chief Executive.

Shaun Woodward: A copy of the Chief Executive's letter has now been placed in the Library of the House.

Sexual Offences

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the  (a) shortest sentence,  (b) shortest suspended sentence and  (c) lowest fine handed down by the courts in Northern Ireland was following conviction for (i) rape, (ii) attempted rape, (iii) indecent assault on a female, (iv) indecent assault on a male, (v) indecent assault on a female child, (vi) indecent assault on a male child, (vii) gross indecency with a child, (viii) buggery with a boy under 16 years of age, (ix) buggery with a girl, (x) unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 years, (xi) unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 years, (xii) permitting a girl under 17 years to use premises for intercourse, (xiii) incest by man, (xiv) indecent exposure with intent to assault a female, (xv) exposure, (xvi) voyeurism, (xvii) sex offender failing to notify police of change of address, (xviii) breach of interim sex offender's prevention order, (xix) bigamy, (xx) distributing indecent photographs of children, (xxi) possessing indecent photograph of a child, (xxii) taking indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of children and (xxiii) making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph of children in each of the last three years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is contained in the following tables.
	Tables 1-3 give the number sentenced to immediate custody and the minimum sentence length (in months) handed down by the courts for those convicted of specific sexual offences for the calendar years 2003 to 2005 (the latest years available). Tables 4-6 provide similar information for those given a suspended sentence.
	The number of defendants disposed of by a fine and the minimum fine amount given over the same period are documented in tables 7-9.
	Data are collated on the principal offence rule; thus only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number sentenced to immediate custody for sexual offences and the minimum sentence length (in months) given by offence for the year 2003 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to immediate custody  Minimum custodial sentence given (months) 
			 Rape 8 18 
			 Attempted rape 1 24 
			 Indecent assault on female 30 4 
			 Indecent assault on male 4 12 
			 Indecent assault on female child 3 12 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 (1)— 
			 Gross indecency with child 5 12 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 1 84 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 1 60 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 0 (1)— 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (1)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 0 (1)— 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 0 (1)— 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 1 24 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1) Sentence length is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number sentenced to immediate custody for sexual offences and the minimum sentence length (in months) given by offence for the year 2004 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to immediate custody  Minimum custodial sentence given (months) 
			 Rape 15 48 
			 Attempted rape 3 48 
			 Indecent assault on female 19 2 
			 Indecent assault on male 9 3 
			 Indecent assault on female child 2 12 
			 Indecent assault on male child(1) 2 48 
			 Gross indecency with child 3 12 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 4 60 
			 Buggery with girl 1 24 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 3 6 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 0 (2)— 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (2)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (2)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (2)— 
			 Indecent exposure 1 1 
			 Voyeurism 0 (2)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (2)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (2)— 
			 Bigamy 0 (2)— 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 1 12 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 1 6 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 2 6 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 4 6 
			 (1) One offender was sentenced to prison and one given a juvenile justice centre order. The shortest sentence length stated is based on the prison sentence. (2) Sentence length is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Number sentenced to immediate custody for sexual offences and the minimum sentence length (in months) given by offence for the year 2005 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to immediate custody  Minimum custodial sentence given (months) 
			 Rape 4 48 
			 Attempted rape 4 60 
			 Indecent assault on female 21 3 
			 Indecent assault on male 4 9 
			 Indecent assault on female child 13 6 
			 Indecent assault on male child 3 8 
			 Gross indecency with child 3 8 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 1 96 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 3 14 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 0 (1)— 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 1 36 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 1 3 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 1 12 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 1 18 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 5 4 
			 (1) Sentence length is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Number sentenced to suspended custody for sexual offences and the minimum sentence length (in months) given by offence for the year 2003 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to suspended custody  Minimum suspended sentence given (months) 
			 Rape 0 (1)— 
			 Attempted rape 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female 13 3 
			 Indecent assault on male 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female child 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 (1)— 
			 Gross indecency with child 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 3 8 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 1 3 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (1)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 1 5 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 1 4 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 3 2 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1) Sentence length is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Number sentenced to suspended custody for sexual offences and the minimum sentence length (in months) given by offence for the year 2004 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to suspended custody  Minimum suspended sentence given (months) 
			 Rape 0 (1)— 
			 Attempted rape 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female 18 1 
			 Indecent assault on male 2 6 
			 Indecent assault on female child 1 24 
			 Indecent assault on male child 2 18 
			 Gross indecency with child 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 2 24 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 1 36 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 1 12 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (1)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 0 (1)— 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 0 (1)— 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 1 6 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1 )Sentence length is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 6: Number sentenced to suspended custody for sexual offences and the minimum sentence length (in months) given by offence for the year 2005 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to suspended custody  Minimum suspended sentence given (months) 
			 Rape 0 (1)— 
			 Attempted rape 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female 9 2 
			 Indecent assault on male 2 6 
			 Indecent assault on female child 1 18 
			 Indecent assault on male child 2 6 
			 Gross indecency with child 2 2 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 2 4 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 1 18 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 1 4 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (1)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 1 3 
			 Bigamy 0 (1)— 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 1 3 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 1 12 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 1 1 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1 )Sentence length is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 7: Number sentenced to a fine for sexual offences and the minimum fine (£) given by offence for the year 2003 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to a fine  Minimum fine given (£) 
			 Rape 0 (1)— 
			 Attempted rape 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female 3 400 
			 Indecent assault on male 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female child 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 (1)— 
			 Gross indecency with child 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 0 (1)— 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (1)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 1 100 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 2 250 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1 )Fine amount is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 8: Number sentenced to a fine for sexual offences and the minimum fine (£) given by offence for the year 2004 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to a fine  Minimum fine given (£) 
			 Rape 0 (1)— 
			 Attempted rape 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female 2 150 
			 Indecent assault on male 1 250 
			 Indecent assault on female child 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 (1)— 
			 Gross indecency with child 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 0 (1)— 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 0 (1)— 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 0 (1)— 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 0 (1)— 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1) Fine amount is not applicable. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 9: Number sentenced to a fine for sexual offences and the minimum fine (£) given by offence for the year 2005 
			  Offence  Number sentenced to a fine  Minimum fine given (£) 
			 Rape 0 (1)— 
			 Attempted rape 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female 4 100 
			 Indecent assault on male 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent assault on female child 1 2,500 
			 Indecent assault on male child 0 (1)— 
			 Gross indecency with child 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with boy under 16 years 0 (1)— 
			 Buggery with girl 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 14 0 (1)— 
			 Unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 17 0 (1)— 
			 Permitting girl under 17 to use premises for intercourse 0 (1)— 
			 Incest by man 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure with intent to insult a female 0 (1)— 
			 Indecent exposure 0 (1)— 
			 Voyeurism 0 (1)— 
			 Sex offender failing to notify police of change of address 4 100 
			 Breach of interim sex offender's prevention order 0 (1)— 
			 Bigamy 0 (1)— 
			 Distributing indecent photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Possessing indecent photograph(s) of child(ren) 0 (1)— 
			 Taking indecent photograph or pseudo photographs of children 0 (1)— 
			 Making indecent photograph or pseudo photograph(s) of children 0 (1)— 
			 (1 )Fine amount is not applicable.

Sexual Offences

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland previously convicted of  (a) rape and  (b) other sexual assault have subsequently committed other sexual offences in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Re-offending data are not available and reconviction data are only available for those released from prison in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
	It is not possible to break reconviction data into individual sexual offence types. The following table gives the numbers that were released from prison for sexual offences who were subsequently reconvicted for other sexual offences within a two year period. Data are collated on the principal offence rule; thus only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Reconviction rates for those who were discharged from custody after serving sentences for sexual offences (2001-03) and who were reconvicted for sexual offences within a two year period 
			   Number discharged from prison for sexual offences  Number reconvicted for sexual offences within a two year period 
			 2001 51 0 
			 2002 52 1 
			 2003 39 1

WORK AND PENSIONS

Children: Day Care

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what financial implications in terms of  (a) rewards for fulfilment and  (b) penalties for failure will be introduced on local authorities following the introduction in April 2008 of the duty to secure sufficient childcare for working parents.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 8 October 2007
	 I have been asked to reply.
	We are determined that local authorities should have the resources they need to fulfil the statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient childcare to meet the needs of working parents. Accordingly, from April 2008 the Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare Grant will include an appropriate allocation. Successive sufficiency assessments conducted by local authorities will indicate their success in closing gaps in provision; and the Government offices for the regions will also monitor authorities' progress in securing sufficiency. It will be open to anyone who believes they have been the victim of maladministration by local authorities in relation to the sufficiency duty to seek redress through various means, including the Local Government Ombudsman.
	The Government do not consider that it would be appropriate to introduce a system of financial rewards and penalties in relation to fulfilment of this statutory duty.

Children: Maintenance

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the reason is for the further delay in dealing with the case of Mr. and Mrs. Beardsmore of Paignton and responding to the hon. Member for Totnes' letter of 4 July and subsequent letter of 13 August to the chief executive of the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 17 September 2007
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 9 October 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the reason is for the further delay with the case of Mr and Mrs Beardsmore of Paignton and responding to the hon. Member for Totnes' letter of 4 July 07 and subsequent letter of 13 August 07 to the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency.
	As details about individual cases are confidential I have written to you separately about this case.

Departments: Disabled

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of people employed by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies are disabled.

Anne McGuire: The latest figures based on the position at 31 March 2007 are that 6,854 staff across the department have declared that they are disabled. As a proportion of staff who have declared a disability status of 115,525, this equates to 5.93 per cent. of staff. Individual agency figures are contained in the following table.
	The figures are based on the proportion of staff who have voluntarily declared themselves as being disabled. However, we are aware that not all disabled staff declare their disability for departmental records, and the true figure may be higher than the figures shown. For example, the 2006 DWP Staff Survey (which is completed anonymously), showed that 13 per cent. of respondents considered themselves to have a long standing health condition or disability.
	The roll out of a new computer system by the end of April has meant a more accurate assessment of the numbers of disabled people working within the Department. As we roll out we are asking each member of staff to check the personal information we hold about them and to declare whether they consider themselves to be disabled. A further joint communications exercise with departmental trade unions to highlight the importance of individuals providing this information is also planned.
	
		
			  Organisation  Total headcount  Total staff who have made a declaration  Actuals non disabled  Actuals disabled  Percentage disabled staff 
			 Jobcentre Plus 75,906 71,606 66,893 4,713 6.58 
			 The Pension Service 13,888 13,888 13,203 685 4.93 
			 Disability and Carers Service 6,731 6,731 6,298 433 6.43 
			 CSA 12,614 12,614 12,145 469 3.72 
			 Corporate Centre 10,686 10,686 10,132 554 5.18 
			 Total DWP 119,825 115,525 108,671 6,854 5.93

Departments: Manpower

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been appointed to his Department outside civil service grades in the last 30 days.

Anne McGuire: The Department engaged 36 non-civil service contractors to fill interim posts during this period.
	In addition, my Department publishes information annually on appointments to the public bodies for which it is responsible. Data for 2006-07 are available at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/ndpb/DraftPublicBodies.pdf.

Departments: Pension Service

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what systems are in place to ensue accurate information-sharing between his Department and the Pension Service; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Pension Service is part of the Department for Work and Pensions and accordingly there is a free flow of information and data across the organisation. The exchange of information takes place both clerically and via interfacing IT systems.
	One of the major features of the Department's IT is a core system (customer information system), which holds a record for each national insurance number holder and a comprehensive range of personal details as a minimum. By linking all of the main benefit application services (e.g. income support computer system, pensions Strategy computer system) to CIS, the Department is able to keep customer records fully updated and is able to provide immediate notification of change of circumstances when they occur.
	The IT systems links across DWP, including the Pension Service through CIS, and include the transition from working age to pensions.

Employment: Lone Parents

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how may work-focused interviews have been booked with lone parents whose youngest child is aged 11 or over in the last 12 months; how many lone parents whose youngest child is 11 or over  (a) moved into work and  (b) came off benefits in each of the last 12 months; how many sanctions for failing to attend a work-focused interview were applied to lone parents whose youngest child is aged 11 or over in each of the last 12 months.

Caroline Flint: 374,000 work-focused interviews were booked for lone parents with a youngest child aged 11 or over between April 2006 and March 2007.
	The remaining available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Lone parents with youngest child aged 11 and over 
			  Month  Into work  Off benefits  Sanctions 
			  2006
			 April 1,940 3,580 840 
			 May 2,300 3,640 1,060 
			 June 2,100 3,500 1,060 
			 July 2,020 3,440 1,040 
			 August 1,860 3,340 1,080 
			 September 2,880 4,040 760 
			 October 2,960 4,640 920 
			 November 2,520 3,340 940 
			 December 1,400 3,220 820 
			  2007
			 January 2,020 3,340 980 
			 February 1,720 3,220 980 
			 March 1,660 3,740 1,160 
			  Notes: 1. Employment data relate to lone parents who had claimed income support and were recorded as entering work during the period. Data may include some lone parents who continued their income support claim after finding work. 2. Employment data under-represents lone parents entering work during the period as it excludes some job entries e.g. people with earnings below the tax threshold and those entering self-employment. 3. Data for people moving off benefits in the period are for people who stopped claiming income support and did not continue claiming any other benefit. Those who ended their income support claim, but were in receipt of a different benefit immediately after ending their claim, are not included. 4. Sanctions data only include those who were in receipt of or entitled to income support. 5. Latest available data for all requested information are to March 2007.  Sources: National Benefits Database and Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Pensioners: Poverty

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the impact on pensioner poverty of raising the level of the basic state pension to the level of the guarantee credit; and what assumptions he has used about the take-up of income-related benefits in coming to this estimate.

Mike O'Brien: We have made good progress in tackling pensioner poverty. Since 1997 the number of pensioners living in relative poverty, based on a threshold of 60 per cent. Of contemporary median income after housing costs, has fallen by 1.1 million, from 2.9 million to 1.8 million in 2005-06.
	Raising the level of the basic state pension to the level of the guarantee credit is estimated to reduce the number of pensioners below 60 per cent. median income after housing costs by around 200,000 based on 2007-08 benefit rates.
	This figure is based on the Department's policy simulation model. Take-up of income related benefits are modelled and lie within the range of published National Statistics estimates.

Pensions: Females

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many married women aged  (a) 60,  (b) 61,  (c) 62,  (d) 63,  (e) 64,  (f) 65,  (g) 66,  (h) 67,  (i) 68 and  (j) 69 are (i) one year, (ii) two years, (iii) three years, (iv) four years, (v) five years, (vi) six years, (vii) seven years, (viii) eight years and (ix) nine or more years short of the number of qualifying years that would be necessary to exceed the 25 per cent. threshold for entitlement to any payment of basic state pension.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 10 September 2007
	The information is not available for married women only. The information that is available is in the following table.
	It shows the number of UK women aged between 60 and 69 in 2003-04 who did not satisfy the '25 per cent. rule' for entitlement to a basic state pension on their own contribution records. It also shows the number of additional qualifying years that would be necessary to satisfy this rule.
	Some of these women may be eligible to receive a basic state pension based on their husband's contribution record.
	
		
			  Number of UK women not satisfying the 25 per cent. rule (thousand) 
			   Additional qualifying years required to satisfy the 25 per cent rule 
			  Age in 2003- 0 4  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 or more  All 
			 60 9 7 6 5 4 3 1 2 2 39 
			 61 8 7 8 6 5 5 3 0 4 46 
			 62 9 9 10 8 7 4 4 2 4 56 
			 63 10 10 10 9 7 6 2 2 6 62 
			 64 12 13 11 13 9 7 4 2 5 76 
			 65 14 16 18 13 10 6 4 3 5 89 
			 66 13 16 16 16 12 8 5 2 5 93 
			 67 15 16 16 16 14 7 4 2 7 96 
			 68 12 17 19 14 9 8 5 4 6 94 
			 69 15 17 21 17 11 9 6 2 5 102 
			
			 All 117 129 135 118 86 63 38 20 48 754 
			  Notes: 1. Figures refer to women living in the UK. 2. Figures refer to entitlement based on women's own contribution records. 3. The information is based on the data held on the national insurance record up to and including the 2003-04 tax year at May 2005. It therefore excludes any national insurance contributions paid after that date.  Source: Lifetime Labour Market Database 2, 2003-04 
		
	
	Additionally, pursuant to my answer to PQ/07/155043,  Official Report, vol. 463. column 2377, the numbers given in that answer now need revising to mirror the same methodology used to determine the numbers for the above answer.
	The error arose because the method used to select the data was incorrect in that complete work histories were looked at instead of the national insurance record at the specific ages. This therefore meant that too many people were included in the answer because people would have less than 25 per cent. entitlement in their earlier years but they would have improved their entitlement over their working lives.
	The revised table is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of UK women not satisfying the 25 per cent rule (thousand) 
			   BSP entitlement at state pension age (percentage) 
			  Age in 2003-04  0-4  5-9  10-14  15-19  20-24  All 
			 60 3 3 8 10 15 39 
			 61 5 4 10 12 15 46 
			 62 6 5 10 17 18 56 
			 63 7 5 13 19 19 62 
			 64 6 7 15 24 25 76 
			 65 6 8 16 31 28 89 
			 66 6 7 20 31 29 93 
			 67 8 6 20 33 30 96 
			 68 7 9 17 33 29 94 
			 69 7 8 19 37 32 102 
			
			 All 59 60 148 247 241 754

Social Security Benefits: Telephone Services

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the  (a) efficacy and  (b) fairness of requiring applicants for income support, jobseekers allowance and incapacity benefit to use a telephone; if he will review the requirement that an emergency crisis loan cannot be made from a Jobcentre Plus office customer phone; what estimate he has made of the number of claimants who applied on pay-as-you-go mobile phones that do not give free calls to the 0800 number in the latest period for which figures are available; what estimate he has made of how often applicants did not complete the journey through the automated menu options; and what estimate he has made of how often staff offered applicants alternative means to claim.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 12 September  2007
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie dated, 9 October 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about applications for benefits and emergency Crisis Loans by telephone. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Contact Centres were introduced partly in response to the Government's desire to offer a modernised service and partly to respond to customer feedback that Jobcentre Plus services should be handled by phone.
	Contact Centres:
	are generally more convenient for customers to access (i.e. removes the need to visit a local office);
	can offer services over longer opening hours more cost effectively; and
	can deliver services more efficiently (e.g. through the more efficient use of space and the better utilisation of staff time).
	We take new claims over the telephone as this ensures that we have all the necessary information to complete the claim, therefore minimising any potential delay. However, customers who have difficulty using the telephone for whatever reason can request a face-to-face interview or, where appropriate, a home visit. They can also choose to claim using a clerical claim form.
	Customers are not currently permitted to use customer access phones in Jobcentres to make claims for crisis loans. This decision is being reviewed following a request from the Work and Pensions Select Committee and because it is appropriate to keep under review the risks associated with customer reaction to negative decisions. Consultation with relevant parties is underway with specific attention being paid to the issue of access to customers, particularly those who only have the use of mobile phones.
	Information is not available regarding the type of telephone used by customers to contact us, as we cannot identify and do not record whether the customer is using a mobile (pay-as-you-go or other) or landline.
	We have recently introduced management information to assess disconnected calls during the automated menu options. The months with complete data are June and July 2007 when we received in total 1,197,960 calls to the First Contact Interactive Voice Response. Of these, 155,466 have been disconnected by the customer before being transferred to the queue. Indications for this point to the fact that customers do not have all the information required to make a claim when going through the Interactive Voice Response.
	Information is not available on how often customer service agents offer alternative means to claim benefits. However, staff have clear guidance on the circumstances in which customers should be offered different options.

State Retirement Pensions: Widowed People

Ian Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many widows in receipt of widow's pension prior to their 60th birthday have failed to claim their state retirement pension.

Mike O'Brien: A woman in receipt of widow's pension has various options on reaching State pension age (currently 60). She can choose to continue receiving her widow's pension up to the age of 65, she can choose to claim her state pension in place of the widow's pension, or she can give up her widow's pension and not draw her state pension in order to earn a higher state pension or lump sum when she does claim it.
	Our records show that just over 20,000 women aged 60 to 64 are receiving widow's pension.
	 Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

State Retirement Pensions: Widowed People

Ian Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps the Pension Service takes to provide information to widows to claim state retirement pension at 60 years.

Mike O'Brien: Four months and four days before a person reaches age 60/65, the National Insurance Recording System (NIRS) passes personal and contributions details to the Pensions Strategy Computer System (PSCS) which will set up a pension account if a current address is held and:
	(a) the first contribution condition for basic State Pension is satisfied with entitlement of at least 25 per cent. basic State Pension.
	(b) there is entitlement to Additional State Pension, Shared Additional State Pension or GRB;
	(c) the person is a widow, widower or divorcee (including an annulled marriage), regardless of entitlement in their own right; or
	(d) PSCS issues a claim package.
	The claims package consists of:
	1. leaflet BR33 SPIB that invites the customer to contact the Pension Service to make a claim over the phone, request claim form BR1 over the phone or return a tear-off for claim form BR1 to be issued;
	2. a BR33R which contains:
	(a) identity details;
	(b) the choices on how to claim State Pension;
	(c) details of the information the customer needs to have close to hand when contacting the Pension Service by telephone.

Unemployment

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of trends in the level of worklessness among the under 25s since 1997 .

Caroline Flint: Claimant unemployment is now falling for 18-24 year olds. This is the result of our successful employment policies, including the new deal. Almost three quarters of a million 18-24 year olds have been helped into work through new deal for young people.

Unemployment Benefits: Elderly

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total value of attendance allowance and disability living allowance payments to people over retirement age living in the City of York local authority area was in  (a) 1996 and  (b) 2006-07.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 12 September 2007
	 The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Total value of attendance allowance and disability living allowance payments to people aged 60 and over in City of York local authority 
			  £ million 
			   Attendance allowance  Disability living allowance 
			  Cash terms   
			 1996-97 5.8 2.2 
			 2006-07 (estimated outturn) 11.7 5.6 
			
			  Real terms   
			 1996-97 7.6 2.9 
			 2006-07 (estimated outturn) 12.1 5.8 
			  Notes: 1. Benefit caseloads data for 1996-97, produced from 5 per cent. sample data, were up rated to 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) totals. Caseloads for 2006-07 were produced from 100 per cent. WPLS data. 2. Figures are consistent with budget 2007 expenditure forecast.  3. Benefit Expenditure and Caseload Information is available on the DWP website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp  Source:  Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate 5 per cent. and 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study data and Department for Work and Pensions Benefit Expenditure Forecasts.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Border and Immigration Agency

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of lost documentation have the Border and Immigration Agency recorded in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: Statistics for the numbers of documents lost in the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) are not kept. However the majority of passports held by BIA are in connection with managed migration casework. In the 12 months ending August 2007, 176 passports were lost from managed migration casework. Case working units in Croydon alone retain between 70,000 to 100,000 passports in their possession at any given time.

Border and Immigration Agency

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of letters sent by hon. Members to the Border and Immigration Agency have received a substantive reply within  (a) three,  (b) four,  (c) six,  (d) eight, (e) 10 and  (f) more than 10 weeks; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: In the period 1 January to 30 June 2007, the last period full data is available, the Border and Immigration Agency received 22,636 letters from hon. Members.
	Of these:
	 (a) 12,713 (56.2 per cent.) were answered in three weeks or less
	 (b) 18,866 (83.3 per cent.) were answered in four weeks or less
	 (c) 20,917 (92.4 per cent.) were answered in six weeks or less
	 (d) 21,426 (94.7 per cent.) were answered in eight weeks or less
	 (e) 21,910 (96.8 per cent.) were answered in 10 weeks or less
	 (f) 643 (2.8 per cent.) took more than 10 weeks to answer.

Animal Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the increase in the number of scientific procedures carried out on  (a) goats and  (b) sheep between 2004 and 2006; which establishments accounted for the greatest amount of that increase; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The number of scientific procedures carried out under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 using goats and sheep for the past three years is shown in the following table.
	As the table shows, the principal increase in procedures involving both goats and sheep in 2006 arose in connection with the study of fundamental biological disease.
	It is Home Office policy not to publish the names of designated establishments licensed under the 1986 Act for health and safety reasons.
	
		
			   Procedures  
			   2004  2005  2006  Purpose 
			  Sheep 6,670 5,650 11,601 Fundamental biological disease 
			  567 472 485 Applied studies-human medicine or dentistry 
			  13,141 3,719 2,495 Applied studies-veterinary study 
			  0 10 8 Protection of man, animals or environment 
			  5 5 1 Education 
			  3 3 0 Forensic enquiries 
			  20,868 19,411 21,746 Direct diagnosis 
			  29 59 41 Breeding 
			 Total 41,283 29,329 36,377  
			  
			  Goats 322 289 502 Fundamental biological disease 
			  43 19 20 Applied studies-human medicine or dentistry 
			  24 8 15 Applied studies-veterinary study 
			  4 3 2 Protection of man, animals or environment 
			  2 11 10 Direct diagnosis 
			 Total 395 330 549

Animal Experiments: Licensing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to assess the effectiveness of legislation on licensing of animal experimentation.

Meg Hillier: The use of animals in experiments and other scientific procedures is regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which puts into effect, and in some ways exceeds, European Union Directive 86/609/EEC. The 1986 Act provides a strong regulatory framework balancing the need to protect animals from unnecessary suffering with the legitimate requirements of the scientific community, and the public, for medical and other essential research and testing.
	The operation of the 1986 Act has been regularly reviewed since it first came into force. Full-scale reviews have been carried out by the Animal Procedures Committee which published its 10 year review of the operation of the Act in 1998, and by the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures which reported in July 2002. In addition, specific aspects of the operation of the 1986 Act have been reviewed at various times by the Animal Procedures Committee, which is required under section 20 of the Act to advise the Secretary of State on matters concerned with Act and her functions under it. The Animal Procedures Committee has, for example, in the last five years, reviewed the use and acquisition of non-human primates, the cost benefit assessment of the use of animals in research, the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals published under section 21 of the Act, modular training for licence applicants and schedule 1 to the Act dealing with appropriate methods of humane killing
	In due course, the current revision of Directive 86/609 will provide a further opportunity to review the regulation of animal experiments.

Asylum: Sri Lanka

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department last reviewed the safety of returning Tamil asylum claimants to Sri Lanka.

Jacqui Smith: Each asylum and human rights application made by a Sri Lankan national is, as with all other nationalities, considered individually against the background of current information from a wide range of well-recognised sources about the situation in Sri Lanka. Those who are found not to be in need of international protection and have no legal basis of stay in the UK, may return voluntarily to any region of Sri Lanka. Where an individual does not return voluntarily, removal may be enforced. Enforced removals will only be undertaken where we are satisfied the individual has no protection needs.

Bicycles: Confiscation

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bicycles have been confiscated from offenders under the provisions of the Police Reform Act 2002.

Vernon Coaker: None: the Police Reform Act allows the seizure, in appropriate circumstances, of motor vehicles only.

British Transport Police

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Government Departments provide funding for the British Transport Police.

Tom Harris: I have been asked to reply.
	Revenue funding for the force is provided by the industry. The Department for Transport is providing £7.5 million for capital expenditure this financial year and the force receives money from the Home Office for specific initiatives.

Community Support Officers: Young People

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness and suitability of under-18 year olds serving as police community support officers; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Police community support officers (PCSOs) are employed as police staff and as such are bound by standard employment regulations. It is for individual chief officers in each force to determine whether a person is suitable, capable and adequately trained to undertake the role of PCSO.
	The Home Office will be working with senior colleagues in the service to make sure current guidance is sufficient to ensure that only those who are capable of performing the role serve as PCSOs.

Crime: Yorkshire

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of crimes reported to the police in  (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and  (b) North Yorkshire in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent year for which figures are available were cleared up.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 17 September 2007
	Detection statistics at police force area level for 2006-07 were published on 20 September 2007. They show a clear up rate of 28 per cent. for Yorkshire and the Humber region and 33 per cent. for North Yorkshire. Changes to the offence coverage in 1998, the detections guidance in 1999 and the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in 2002 mean that data for 1997 are not directly comparable with that for 2006-07. In 1997, the clear up rate was 26 per cent. for both Yorkshire and the Humber region and North Yorkshire.

Crime: South West Region

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded crimes of each type there were in  (a) Devon and Cornwall,  (b) the south-west and  (c) England and Wales in 2006-07.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is published in Table 6.05 of 'Crime in England and Wales 2006-07'. A copy is available on the Home Office website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb1107chap2.xls

Crimes of Violence: Suffolk

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the figures were for  (a) violent crime and  (b) gun crime in Suffolk in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2007.

Vernon Coaker: A number of changes have been made to recorded crime in response to suggestions in the two reviews of crime statistics. Once such change is that the term 'violent crime' is no longer used in connection with the recorded crime statistics and we now provide figures for violence against the person.
	There were 2,448 offences of violence against the person recorded in Suffolk in 1997 and 10,190 offences recorded in 2006-07, the latest year for which statistics are available. The introduction of expanded coverage in 1998 and the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in 2002 resulted in an artificial increase in recorded offences of violence against the person and figures for the two years are therefore not directly comparable.
	There were 17 firearms offences (excluding air weapons) in Suffolk in 1997 and 58 in 2005-06, the latest year for which data are available.

Driving Offences

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent steps the Government have taken to tackle the incidence of driving off without payment offences in relation to petrol retail.

Vernon Coaker: It remains an offence under the Theft Act 1978 to make off without paying for goods with intent to avoid payment. However, changes were made in April 2005 to Home Office counting rules reflecting concerns expressed by police forces about the lack of consistency among forces in recording allegations of making off without payment offences.
	Many police forces continue to work with industry to reduce this type of problem and initiatives such as 'Forecourt watch' and self-reporting packages have proved very successful in terms of improving security and reducing crime.
	The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) continue to make a valuable contribution in partnership with local police and petrol retailers to reduce this type of offence.

Forced Marriage

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of offences related to forced marriage were investigated in each of the last five years by each police force in England and Wales.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 17 September 2007
	The Home Office does not collect this information and it is not routinely collected by the police, as there is no specific offence of forced marriage. Offences related to forced marriage can range from common assault, false imprisonment and kidnapping, to murder.
	The Association of Chief Police Officers has published guidance for police forces on identifying, assessing and managing risk in domestic violence cases, and separate guidance on dealing with cases of forced marriage. In addition, the Crown Prosecution Service is currently undertaking pilots in four areas (Lancashire, London, West Midlands and West Yorkshire) to investigate the prosecution of forced marriage and so-called honour-based violence cases. All cases in these pilot areas will be flagged and monitored from July 2007 to March 2008.

Foreign Workers: Care Homes

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued to senior care workers in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The following table shows the number of work permit applications which were approved for overseas nationals for senior care workers from non-EU states in period 2005 -2006. Data prior to 2005 are not available.
	
		
			   Approvals 
			 2005 1,870 
			 2006 5,690 
			  Note:  Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 
		
	
	The figures quoted are not provided under national statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.

Foreign Workers: Health Professions

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were issued for  (a) doctors and  (b) nurses and auxiliary nurses from non-EU states in (i) 2006 and (ii) each of the preceding 10 years.

Liam Byrne: The following table shows the number of work permit applications which were approved for overseas nationals for  (a) doctors and  (b) nurses from non-EU states in the period 1999 to 2006. Data prior to 1999 are not available. There have been no approvals for auxiliary nurses.
	
		
			   Doctor  Nurse  Total 
			 1999 170 2,430 2,600 
			 2000 580 15,130 15,710 
			 2001 1,805 24,355 26,160 
			 2002 3,120 28,740 31,855 
			 2003 3,820 29,590 33,410 
			 2004 4,690 29,180 33,875 
			 2005 4,070 22,670 26,740 
			 2006 3,830 13,685 17,520 
			 Total 22,090 165,780 187,870 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. Because of rounding figures may not add up to the totals. 
		
	
	The figures quoted are 'not' provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.

Genetics: Databases

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to update the national DNA database to include full postal addresses of every person who has been added onto the database.

Meg Hillier: None. The purpose of the National DNA Database (NDNAD) is to hold a record of a person's DNA which can be matched against DNA taken from crime scenes. If there is a match the police are notified and make further inquiries. The NDNAD holds the person's name, date of birth, ethnic appearance, gender, a link to any record on the police national computer, and information about the police force which took the sample. This is sufficient for the police to be able to contact the person if required. It is not necessary for the NDNAD itself to hold the person's postal address.
	The address someone is living at when a DNA sample is taken from them will of course become outdated when they move, so adding this address would impose extra work on the police for the sake of information which in many cases would soon become out of date. In order to keep address information accurate, it would be necessary to monitor changes of address of the 4 million people on the database. This would be expensive and intrusive without adding anything useful to police operations.

Genocide: Rwanda

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with her French and Belgian counterparts on the search for and prosecution of suspected Rwandan genocidaires residing in those countries;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to encourage other EU Governments to arrest suspected Rwandan genocidaires residing in their countries;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with EU counterparts about procedures for extradition to Rwanda of suspected Rwandan genocidaires residing in Europe.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 8 October 2007
	 It is for each member state to determine, in accordance with its own laws, what action might be appropriate in particular cases. Regular discussions, however, are held with EU counterparts, both at ministerial and official level, about a range of judicial cooperation issues including, from time to time, about bringing to justice alleged genocidaires from Rwanda. No one fleeing prosecution in that country should expect to find safe haven or to enjoy impunity within the EU. That is why the Government have entered into special extradition arrangements with Rwanda in respect of four cases currently before the courts.

Identity Cards: Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether compulsory identity cards will be introduced in  (a) Jersey,  (b) Guernsey and  (c) Isle of Man simultaneously with the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: There are no provisions in the Identity Cards Act 2006 to make it compulsory to have an identity card and to do so would require further primary legislation.
	As with previous legislation on identity cards, the Government would consult the Administrations of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man as and when further primary legislation on identity cards was being prepared.

Lisbon Agenda

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policies her Department has adopted to assist the United Kingdom's fulfilment of the Lisbon Agenda criteria.

Meg Hillier: The Government fully supports the aims of the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs. Reforms across EU member states consistent with the Strategy to boost productivity and skills, expanding participation in the labour market and increasing social inclusion, are key parts of the response to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.
	In line with the aims of the Lisbon Strategy, the Government are pursuing a comprehensive programme of long-term structural reform to deliver strong and sustainable economic performance and employment growth, including addressing specific skills shortages through its managed migration policy. This is set out in the UK National Reform programme, progress against which the Government reports on annually. The most recent progress report was published in September and is available in the Library of the House and on the website of HM Treasury.

Official Visits: European Union

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what official visits she is planning to European Union member states in the next six months.

Meg Hillier: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has recently returned from Portugal where she attended the informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Over the coming months she plans to visit Poland for a meeting of the G6 Interior Ministers to discuss cooperation in the areas of counter terrorism, organised crime and immigration; and Germany for a G6 counter terrorism symposium. She is also currently considering a visit to France.
	In addition, the JHA Council will be meeting in Brussels in November, December and February 2008, and in Slovenia in January 2008. Ministerial attendance at those meetings will be determined in the light of the individual agendas. Home Office Ministers are also planning visits to Ireland, Germany and Belgium before the end of the year. There may be other visits or EU meetings, attendance at which will be considered against the pursuit of Home Office aims.

Police

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has for a Royal Commission on policing; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government have no plans to set up a Royal Commission on policing.

Police: Complaints

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in  (a) Essex and  (b) Southend have been the subject of complaints in each year since 1997; how many of these have been the subject of local resolution.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not collected by the Home Office. This is a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Police: Finance

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much extra funding will be provided by the Government for policing provision during the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office provide special grant to police authorities to pay for the additional costs of policing the main annual party conferences.
	Dorset police submitted a bid of £4.5 million (revenue) plus £80,000 (capital) for the additional costs of policing the 2007 Labour Party autumn conference which has been approved.

Police: Pay

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the current formula for determining the annual pay of police officers.

Tony McNulty: It is important that pay arrangements for the police are both fair and affordable, for the taxpayer as well as the police service. This is why the Government asked Sir Clive Booth to conduct a review of police pay. His recommendations were published in a written ministerial statement on 21 February 2007, and they recommended an interim index linking increases in police officer pay to increases in the public sector. This was the basis of the 2007 pay offer to police officers. The Government made clear in their ministerial statement of 21 February that Sir Clive Booth's recommendations would be taken forward through the Police Negotiation Board (PNB). We are disappointed that the PNB failed to reach agreement. The matter has now been referred to the Police Arbitration Tribunal. Before my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary makes her decision on the police pay award for 2007, she will consider very carefully the recommendations that result from this process.

Police: Security

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many security alerts were dealt with by police in each police force area in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: This information is not held centrally by the Home Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police: South West Region

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were  (a) in total and  (b) per 100,000 of the general population in (i) Devon and Cornwall, (ii) the South West and (iii) England in (A) 2006 and (B) 2007.

Tony McNulty: The requested data are published annually in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin series "Police Service Strength, England and Wales", copies of which are available online and are in the Library of the House.
	The available data are given in the tables.
	
		
			  Total police officers (FTE)( 1)  for Devon and Cornwall force, South West region and England as at 31 March 2006 and 2007 
			  As at 31 March each year  Devon and Cornwall  South West  England 
			 2006 3,540 11,024 133,924 
			 2007 3,523 11,006 134,265 
			 (1) Full-time equivalent strength figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 
		
	
	
		
			  Total police officers per 100,000( 1)  population for Devon and Cornwall force, South West region and England as at 31 March 2006 and 2007 
			  As at 31 March each year  Devon and Cornwall  South West  England 
			 2006 219 219 267 
			 2007 216 217 266 
			 (1) Based on full-time equivalent strength figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Ports: Immigration Officers

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 35 main ports of entry to the UK were staffed 24 hours a day by immigration officials in  (a) 2003 and  (b) 2006.

Jacqui Smith: Of the 35 main ports of entry, there are 19 ports in the UK and in juxtaposed locations which are staffed 24 hours a day. A further 16 have staff based there during operating hours. Other ports are staffed on a regular basis to cover scheduled services with all remaining points of entry attended on a risk assessed basis or in response to specific intelligence.

Terrorism Act 2000

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) assessment has been made of and  (b) guidance her Department has issued on the use of section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Tony McNulty: In spring 2007, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) carried out a review of its use of stop and search powers under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. One of the recommendations was to continue to apply appropriately for the authority. Another recommendation was to raise public awareness about the powers. As part of that commendation, the MPS are publishing stop and search figures for each London borough on a monthly basis. Lord Carlile of Berriew also assesses the use of section 44 in his capacity as Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.
	National guidance for the police on the use of section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 was published in July 2006 by the National Centre for Policing Excellence. One of the key aims of the guidance was to set out a framework for the use of section 44 powers to ensure that they are used appropriately by officers on the ground. In August 2006, the Home Office produced a circular for the police on the use of section 44. This included a requirement for the authorising officer to provide details of the community impact assessment made prior to authorising the powers.

Vehicles: Insurance

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles were seized as uninsured vehicles in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many of those were subsequently destroyed or scrapped.

Vernon Coaker: The police power is to seize vehicles driven by someone without appropriate insurance. Information on the number of vehicles seized is not recorded centrally.

Wiltshire Constabulary

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the costs were of  (a) interpretation and  (b) translation in connection with police work by the Wiltshire Constabulary in each of the five most required foreign languages in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: This is an operational matter for the Chief Officer and the Police Authority.

Work Permits

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications from employers for work permits were waiting for processing to be completed on  (a) 1 March and  (b) 1 September; and what the average time was between (i) initial receipt of the application and despatch from the payment processing facility and (ii) completion of the payment processing and approval of the work permit on each of those dates.

Liam Byrne: The number of work permit applications awaiting an initial decision was 4,658 on 1 March 2007 and was 3,508 on 1 September 2007.
	Work permit applications received at the payment processing centre before 1.30 pm are delivered to the Border and Immigration Agency the same day. Those received later are delivered the next working day.
	For the six- month period prior to 1 March 2007 it took an average eight calendar days from receipt at the Border and Immigration Agency to complete a work permit application and for the six-month period prior to 1 September 2007 it took an average of 10 calendar days.
	All the above figures exclude those applications that had been initially refused but which were being reconsidered on review at these dates.
	he figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.

Work Permits

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people who were granted a UK work permit in 2000 subsequently  (a) applied for and  (b) were granted settlement.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested could be obtained by the detailed examination of individual records only at disproportionate cost.
	Although information on both work permits and grants of settlement are provided in the Home Office Command Paper "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2006", it is not possible to directly cross reference between the data as the basis for calculation is different.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Overseas Trade: Yorkshire and the Humber

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value was of international trade in  (a) goods and  (b) services for the Yorkshire and the Humber region in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available; and what percentage of gross domestic product in each year each figure represents.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 12 September 2007
	HM Revenue and Customs publishes a regional breakdown for trade in goods going back to 2000. Their figure for 2000 for exports of goods from Yorkshire and the Humber was £8.8 billion compared with £12.7 billion in 2006; the 2006 figure may have been affected by transactions associated with missing trader VAT fraud. In 2000 this was about 14.5 per cent. of regional gross value added; regional GVA figures for 2006 are not yet available, but the comparable figure is likely to be about 15.4 per cent. For imports of goods, equivalent figures are £10.7 billion and 17.6 per cent. in 2000, and £14.1 billion and 17.1 per cent. in 2006. Similar data for regional trade in services are not available.

Post Offices: Disadvantaged

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether alternative locations for post offices that Royal Mail propose for closure will be required to comply with disability discrimination legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Disability access to Crown post offices is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. acting in compliance with the requirements of the disability discrimination legislation.

Supermarkets: Ethics

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will ask the Competition Commission to inquire into whether practices of UK supermarkets involve significant exploitation of workers in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The Government do not request the Competition Commission to undertake inquiries except in certain, limited circumstances. Ensuring that markets operate freely and fairly is not a matter for the Government, but is for the independent competition authorities.
	The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has asked the CC to investigate if any features of this market prevent, restrict or distort competition and if so, what action might be taken to remedy these. The CC has a statutory requirement to report within two years of a reference to them by the OFT. It is required to publish its final report by 8 May 2008, but is aiming to do so by October 2007. The CC expects to publish its emerging thinking for consultation on 23 January. The current timetable for the inquiry can be found at:
	www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2006/grocery/core_timetable.htm
	The CC investigation is not limited to considering only the issues that the OFT has identified, and any issues should be raised direct with them.

Wind Power: Greenbelt

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many domestic wind turbines were granted planning permission on land designated as green belt for each of the previous three years for which figures are available.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	This information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts: North East Region

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many arts organisations in  (a) Stockton on Tees and  (b) the North East received Arts Council England North East funding in each of the last 10 years.

Margaret Hodge: The table shows the amount of arts organisations in Stockton on Tees and the North East in receipt of Arts Council funding for each of the last 10 years.
	Figures for the North East prior to 1999-2000 relate to arts organisations receiving lottery funding distributed by the Arts Council. From 1999-2000 the figures for the North East include regularly funded organisations. This is because prior to the merger of the Regional Arts Boards in 2003-04 to create Arts Council England, each region managed its funding records independently.
	
		
			   Stockton on Tees  North East 
			 1997-98 7 215 
			 1998-99 1 48 
			 1999-2000 3 129 
			 2000-01 5 180 
			 2001-02 6 195 
			 2002-03 3 143 
			 2003-04 11 270 
			 2004-05 9 229 
			 2005-06 11 231 
			 2006-07 9 218

BBC Trust: Public Appointments

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will consider introducing  (a) pre-appointment parliamentary scrutiny and  (b) confirmation hearings for future appointments to the BBC Trust.

James Purnell: holding answer 8 October 2007
	BBC Trust appointments are among those regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. We believe the scrutiny afforded by existing arrangements, which include the involvement of an OCPA trained independent assessor throughout, is sufficient. We do not therefore plan to consider introducing pre-appointment parliamentary scrutiny or confirmation hearings for future appointments to the BBC Trust.
	This is consistent with proposals set out in the Government Green Paper "The Governance of Britain" (July 2007), which accepts there are a number of positions in which Parliament has a particularly strong interest because the office holder exercises statutory or other powers in relation to protecting the public's rights and interests. The Government believe that Parliament, through its Select Committees, may play a valuable role where such appointments are not subject to oversight by the Commissioner for Public Appointments or other form of independent scrutiny.

Big Lottery Fund: Voluntary Organisations

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many voluntary organisations which were formerly funded from single regeneration budgets have bid for Big Lottery funding in each year for which figures are available; and how many have been successful in each year.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Culture: Expenditure

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent on  (a) the arts,  (b) sport and  (c) heritage in each year since 1997.

James Purnell: The following table shows how much the Department for Culture, Media and Sport spent on the arts, sport and heritage from 1997 to 2007-08.
	
		
			   Sector 
			   Arts  Sport  Heritage 
			 1997-98 196.4 50.1 155.8 
			 1998-99 199.7 49.4 149.1 
			 1999-2000 229.8 51.6 145.6 
			 2000-01 238.8 52.6 149.7 
			 2001-02 252.9 64.5 142.0 
			 2002-03 291.2 109.8 156.7 
			 2003-04 326.6 78.9 156.3 
			 2004-05 370.5 111.5 169.0 
			 2005-06 410.4 117.5 165.1 
			 2006-07 430.2 168.7 188.4 
			 2007-08 420.3 186.4 190.7

Departments: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which private consultancy firms  (a) his Department and  (b) agencies which report to his Department engaged in each of the last three years; which programmes or projects each firm worked on; and what the approximate cost to the Department or agency concerned was of each engagement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Manpower

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many civil servants are employed by his Department, broken down by policy area.

Margaret Hodge: The requested information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Policy area  Number of staff  Number of staff (FTE) 
			 Architecture, Historic Environment 31 30.4 
			 Sports 35 34.6 
			 Arts 21 20.8 
			 Creative Industries Division 19 18.8 
			 Active Generation Team 5 4.5 
			 Tourism 30 29.9 
			 Lottery, Communities and International 27 25.6 
			 Museums, Libraries and Cultural Property Unit 31 31 
			 Gambling and National Lottery Licensing 18 18 
			 Broadcasting Policy 32 32 
			 Humanitarian Assistance Unit 7 7 
			 Government Art Collection 14 13.5 
			 Government Olympic Executive 46 44.8 
			 Olympic Games Board Secretariat 6 6 
			 Total 322 316.9 
			  Notes: 1. The remaining 205 staff work in Human Resources, Finance and Planning, Strategy, Private Office, Communications and Directorate support. 2. The department is planning to reduce its headcount by around 70 FTE by 2011. 3. The Culture, Creativity and Economy Group deals with a range of subjects; Arts, Architecture, Heritage, Creative Industries, Sports, Museums, Libraries, Broadcasting Policy, Tourism, National Lottery and Gambling Licensing and Tourism. 4. Corporate Services covers Human Resources, Finance and Planning, Strategy and Private Office.

Digital Broadcasting: Broadcasting Reception

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of households which are capable of receiving a high quality and reliable analogue television signal but will not be capable of receiving a fully reliable digital television signal after digital switchover in  (a) Argyll and Bute,  (b) the STV region and  (c) the UK.

James Purnell: holding answer 24 July 2007
	At the time of switchover (which will be in 2010 for the STV region) digital terrestrial coverage across the whole of the UK should substantially match that which the present analogue service achieves—that is, 98.5 per cent. of households. Although we do not have information on coverage for individual constituencies, Ofcom estimates that around 97 per cent. of households in the STV North region and around 99.4 per cent. in STV Central region will be capable of receiving a high quality and robust signal after digital switchover. Unfortunately, estimates of analogue coverage are not available.

Digital Broadcasting: Sight Impaired

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department will be making any funds available to blind and partially-sighted persons to purchase new equipment to enable them to use teletext once the analogue signal has been switched off.

James Purnell: The Digital Switchover Help Scheme will ensure that households where at least one person is registered blind or registered partially-sighted will be provided with the appropriate equipment to convert one TV set and, where necessary, the relevant help to install and use such equipment and an aerial installation. Help will be free to eligible households in receipt of income support, jobseeker's allowance or pension credit. Other households will be asked to contribute £40 towards the cost of support.
	Where the eligible household opts for the digital terrestrial platform, the scheme will provide a set top converter box which meets the scheme's core receiver requirement. This incorporates a number of features, such as audio description, which will be of benefit to blind and partially sighted people. There is no requirement for the scheme to enable audio access to digital text services. The Consumer Expert Group, which includes the RNIB and SENSE were consulted on the scheme requirements. The core receiver requirements, which take costs into account, will be kept under regular review.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the requirements for set-top boxes provided by the Digital Switchover Help Scheme include an on/off button; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: holding answer 24 July 2007
	The Core Receiver Requirements for digital switchover Help Scheme equipment state that any digital receiver provided as part of the scheme shall have a power switch in an easily accessible position with which the receiver can be placed into its lowest possible consumption mode (e.g. standby). The requirements also require that a corresponding function should be included in the design of the remote control for such receivers.
	Set-top boxes remain on low power standby rather than being switched off completely when not in use, in order to allow them to receive important over-the-air downloads (for example, to rescan for frequency changes), in a way which causes minimum disruption for the viewer, at very low levels of energy consumption.

Gambling: Advertising

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether advertising of gambling-related activities at televised sports events during children's television viewing hours will be permitted under the proposed Committee of Advertising Practice and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice gambling advertising rules.

James Purnell: Under the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) new codes of practice, which came into effect on 1 September, there are strict controls in place about the content and scheduling of gambling advertisements and restrictions on advertising during and around children's programmes or programmes commissioned for, principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to children.
	In addition to the CAP and BCAP codes, the gambling industry has introduced a voluntary 9 pm watershed on all broadcast gambling advertising, with an exception for bingo and lottery advertisements which are already permitted and sports betting advertising around sports events, as part of their social responsibility code on gambling advertising.

National Lottery: Manpower

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people are employed by each of the National Lottery distributors.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held centrally and it has not been possible to collate the data requested in the time available. Some of the information requested is already in the public domain, in distributor's annual reports.

National Lottery: Public Relations

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much each National Lottery distributor spent on public affairs and public relations activities in the last period for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held centrally and it has not been possible to collate the data requested in the time available. Some of the information requested is already in the public domain, in national lottery distributor's annual reports.

Sports: Manpower

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the 10,000 voluntary community sports coaches announced on 24 September are  (a) additional to and  (b) distinct from the young volunteers trained to work in schools and community clubs and trained adult mentors announced as part of the Game Plan strategy in 2003; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The 10,000 voluntary Community Sports Coaches announced on the 24 September will be additional to and distinct from the young volunteers and leaders supported by the Step into Sport scheme which is part of the National School Sport Strategy.
	Game Plan was published as a strategy document in December 2002. The Government have used it to inform their policy on sport where appropriate.

Sports: Manpower

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  from which areas the 10,000 voluntary community sports coaches, announced on 24 September, will be recruited;
	(2)  when he expects the 10,000 voluntary community sports coaches, announced on 24 September, to  (a) be recruited and  (b) begin their coaching activities; and what steps his Department plans to take to (i) encourage, (ii) monitor and (iii) audit and account for progress with this initiative;
	(3)  which national governing bodies will be responsible for recruiting the 10,000 voluntary community sports coaches announced on 24 September; how much each such body will receive; how much of the £5 million announced for the initiative will be allocated to  (a) Sports Coach UK and  (b) Sport England; and when the funding will be made available to each responsible body.

James Purnell: We are working on detailed plans with Sport England, Youth Sport Trust and sports coach UK to start the recruitment of 10,000 volunteer sports coaches from April 2008, in the most deprived areas.

Written Questions

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to answer question  (a) 148539 on civil servants and  (b) 148535 on advertising: gambling, tabled by the hon. Member for Bath on 4 July 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Both questions were answered on 3 October.

TRANSPORT

A1: Nottinghamshire

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made on the removal of six roundabouts on the A1 in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Tom Harris: Construction work has commenced at all six roundabout junctions, with the most significant progress being made at Blyth, Apleyhead and Gonerby Moor.
	Overall project completion is expected in early 2009. This is slightly later than originally programmed due to the effects of the wet weather during the summer and refocusing traffic management to minimise the impact of the works on the travelling public.

Biofuels

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) volume and  (b) proportion of biofuels used in England was (i) imported and (ii) produced domestically in each of the last five years; what the equivalent estimated figures are for each year up to 2010; and what impact this had upon reducing carbon emissions from vehicles.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The total quantities of biofuels released for consumption in the UK are available via the HM Revenue and Customs website at http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulloil. Annual figures are summarised in the following table. Information on the carbon savings associated with these biofuels is not available.
	
		
			  Annual quantities of biofuels released for consumption in the UK and estimated carbon savings 
			  M illions of litres 
			   Biodiesel  Bioethanol 
			 2002 3 0 
			 2003 19 0 
			 2004 21 0 
			 2005 33 85 
			 2006 169 95 
		
	
	Provisional figures suggest that the total quantity of biofuel released for consumption over the first eight months of 2007 amounted to some 318 million litres, or around 1 per cent. of total road transport fuel sales. The Government do not hold precise data on the origin of these fuels, and information on the carbon savings associated with them is not available. All of the bioethanol over the period in question was imported, whereas a significant amount of the biodiesel was produced in the UK. During 2006 and 2007, however, imports of biodiesel rose sharply.
	The Government are due to introduce a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) in April 2008. This should create a demand for around 1 billion litres of biofuel in 2008, rising to around 1.75 billion litres in 2009 and 2.5 billion litres in 2010. We anticipate that this demand will be met by both imported and domestically produced biofuels. The carbon savings will depend on a number of factors, including the carbon intensity of the biofuels transport fuel suppliers choose to source. The RTFO's reporting requirements are designed to provide a strong incentive for transport fuel suppliers to source sustainable, low-carbon biofuels.
	The Government have also announced that from 2010-11 they aim to reward biofuels under the RTFO according to the amount of carbon they save. This should provide greater certainty over the level of carbon savings that the biofuels should deliver. Further details are set out in an informal policy paper which is available via this Department's website at
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/environment/rtfo/.

British Transport Police: Information Officers

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers are employed by the British Transport Police.

Tom Harris: This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British Transport Police who can be contacted at:
	British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN
	E-mail: general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk

Departments: Accountancy

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what accounts directions were issued by her Department in financial years  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Under the Government Resource and Accounts Act 2000, HM Treasury issue accounts directions to Departments, pension schemes and agencies and under the Government Trading Fund Act 1973 to trading funds.
	For the years 2005-06 and 2006-07 Department for Transport has issued accounts directions for the form and content of resource and other accounts to the following sponsored bodies:
	 2005-06
	Civil Aviation Authority
	British Transport Police
	Trinity House
	Northern Lighthouse Board
	Commissioners of Irish Lights
	Passenger Focus
	 2006-07
	Civil Aviation Authority
	British Transport Police
	Trinity House
	Northern Lighthouse Board
	Commissioners of Irish Lights
	Passenger Focus

East Coast Railway Line: Franchises

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she has taken to ensure that the successful bidder for the Inter City East Coast franchise includes in their operations a major commitment to environmental sustainability; and what measures have been taken to ensure that such a commitment is an objective when awarding other new rail franchise contracts.

Tom Harris: Bidders for the Inter City East Coast franchise were required to set out plans for measuring and reducing the environmental impact of their rail activities. They also had to address the main environmental impacts of rail operation, (carbon emissions, air quality and noise); to take account of the need to conserve resources; and to reduce waste and the contamination of water and land. The winning bidder committed, among other initiatives, to reduce fuel consumption per passenger kilometre by 28 per cent. over the franchise term and to invest £400,000 to reduce energy use at stations and depots.

Great Western Trains

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra carriages First Great Western will receive out of the recently announced national total of 1,300; and what change there has been in the number of carriages on the First Great Western franchise since 1997.

Tom Harris: It is too early to provide details on the nature and deployment on the balance of the new rolling stock. The bulk of this will be agreed with the rail industry following publication in November of the industry proposals to deliver the high level output specification. The Department for Transport will publish a rolling stock plan in January 2008.
	Details on the number of carriages operated by individual franchises in the past are not held by the Department.

Lorries: Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicle annual safety tests were conducted by VOSA in each financial year since 2000-01; and what percentage of heavy goods vehicles failed  (a) initial and  (b) final safety test in each financial year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publishes figures of how many heavy goods vehicle annual safety tests were conducted by VOSA in each financial year since 2000-01; and what percentage of heavy goods vehicles failed  (a) initial and  (b) final safety test in each financial year in its Effectiveness Report. This is available on-line at www.vosa.gov.uk or in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.

Motor Vehicles: Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) private cars and light vehicles,  (b) motorcycles,  (c) public service vehicles,  (d) trailers for heavy goods vehicles and  (e) heavy goods vehicles were recalled on safety grounds in each financial year since 2000-01.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was formed in April 2003. VOSA is responsible for the publication of vehicle safety recalls. Its records indicate:
	
		
			   Private cars and light vehicles  Heavy goods vehicles  Commercial, trailers  Motorcycles  Public service vehicles 
			 2003 134,407 62,513 726 13,775 2,800 
			 2004 764,336 80,030 4,134 36,708 2,384 
			 2005 1,007,345 71,681 4,311 45,650 12,843 
			 2006 923,867 53,692 195 45,108 4,026 
		
	
	Please note, although the above number of vehicles have been recalled, they may not have proved to be defective. VOSA's figures are recorded by calendar year not financial year. To break these figures down into financial year would result in disproportionate costs.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) class 3 and 4 vehicles and  (b) goods vehicles between 3 tonne and 3.5 tonne gross weight took an MOT test in each financial year since 2001; and how many and what percentage failed in each year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publishes figures of how many  (a) class 3 and 4 vehicles and  (b) goods vehicles between 3 tonne and 3.5 tonne gross weight took an MOT test in each financial year since 2001; and how many and what percentage failed in each year in its effectiveness report. This is available on-line at www.vosa.gov.uk or in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) grade 7 equivalent and above managers,  (b) testers,  (c) vehicle inspectors and  (d) vehicle examiners were employed in (i) the Vehicle Inspectorate and (ii) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in each financial year since 2000-01.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) was formed in April 2003. The following table indicates the number of posts it had for the roles requested, as at 1 April of each year.
	
		
			   Grade7+  Tester  Vehicle inspector  Vehicle examiner 
			 2003 40 121 401 494 
			 2004 43 110 427 542 
			 2005 46 94 424 556 
			 2006 53 80 417 524 
			 2007 55 66 397 502 
		
	
	Figures prior to 2003 for the Vehicle Inspectorate could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Similar information on staff numbers was published in the Vehicle Inspectorates Annual Reports, a copy of which was placed in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport section.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many MOT vehicle testing stations are in operation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of approved MOT garages at 1 October 2007 was 18,950.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many MOT vehicle testing stations were routinely inspected (as opposed to having a targeted inspection) to ensure that they complied with safety and other requirements in each financial year since 2000-01.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publishes figures of how many MOT vehicle testing stations were routinely inspected (as opposed to having a targeted inspection) to ensure that they complied with safety and other requirements in each financial year since 2003 in its Effectiveness Report. This is available on-line at www.vosa.gov.uk or in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section. Any figures prior to 2003 can be found in The Vehicles Inspectorate report in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the MOT Enforcement Transformation programme is; how MOT vehicle testing stations will be classified in the future; what safety checking regimes are for each class of MOT vehicle testing station; and how it was determined that the new checking regimes will work effectively.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) MOT Enforcement Transformation programme supports the delivery of a number of its strategic objectives to improve the quality and consistency of the private vehicle testing service to the public. Focussing on non-compliant MOT garages, the risk based programme aims to improve MOT testing standards and operational efficiency.
	Similarly to the existing Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system, MOT garages will be classified as Red, Amber or Green.
	VOSA monitor MOT garage safety through:
	analysis of the MOT database,
	intelligence received,
	MOT Appeals,
	random and targeted re-inspection of vehicles, and
	mystery shopper exercises.
	VOSA trialled the risk based approach for 100 MOT garages in the Midlands area from June—October 2006. Analysis of the trial results demonstrated that the risk scoring mechanism is an effective method of predicting actual non-compliance by an MOT garage.

Office of Rail Regulation: Information Officers

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press officers are employed by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Tom Harris: The Office of Rail Regulation has 1.5 full-time equivalent press officers.

Public Service Vehicles: Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public service vehicle (PSV) annual safety tests were conducted by VOSA in each financial year since 2000-01; and how many PSVs failed their  (a) initial and  (b) final safety test in each financial year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publishes figures of how many public service vehicle (PSV) annual safety tests were conducted by VOSA in each financial year since 2000-01; and how many PSVs failed their  (a) initial and  (b) final safety test in each financial year in its Effectiveness Report. This is available on-line at www.vosa.gov.uk or in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.

Public Service Vehicles: Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many public service vehicles (PSVs) failed their final safety test for a reason relating to their  (a) steering mechanisms and  (b) braking systems; and what percentage of the number of tests conducted by VOSA on PSVs in each financial year each figure represents.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publishes figures of how many public service vehicles (PSVs) failed their final safety test for a reason relating to their  (a) steering mechanisms and  (b) braking systems; and what percentage of the number of tests conducted by VOSA on PSVs its effectiveness report. This is available on-line at www.vosa.gov.uk or in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.

Public Service Vehicles: Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many heavy goods vehicles failed their final safety test for a reason connected to their  (a) steering mechanisms and  (b) braking systems; and what percentage each figure represents of the number of tests conducted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency on heavy goods vehicles in each year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) publishes figures of how many heavy goods vehicles failed their final safety test for a reason connected to their  (a) steering mechanisms and  (b) braking systems; and what percentage each figure represents of the number of tests conducted by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency on heavy goods vehicles in each financial year in its effectiveness report. This is available on-line at www.vosa.gov.uk or in the House of Commons Library, Business and Transport Section.

Railway Stations: Catering

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions she has had with Network Rail on the provision of Fairtrade coffee at rail stations following the discontinuance of AMT's contract with Network Rail; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: None. This is a commercial matter for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network.
	The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for further information relating to his question.
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London NW1 2EE

Railways: Safety

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent assessment she has made of safety at  (a) manned and  (b) unmanned mainline rail stations;
	(2)  what recent assessment she has made of the merits of manned mainline rail stations during operating hours.

Tom Harris: Staffing levels at stations are a matter for the station operator to determine.
	The Department has not made any recent assessments of safety and/or personal security at manned and unmanned mainline rail stations or on the merits of manned stations during operating hours. However, a national passenger survey is undertaken twice a year by Passenger Focus to assess how safe passengers feel at stations and on trains. In the most recent survey of over 21,000 passengers most people were satisfied with the level of safety and security provided at stations. Also, as part of the Secure Stations scheme accreditation process, a passenger survey is required to be undertaken to assess how safe passengers feel at the station.

Railways: Security

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions UK railway lines have been closed because of security alerts in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Harris: This information is not held by the Department for Transport but by the British transport police who can be contacted at: British Transport Police, 25 Camden Road, London NW1 9LN, E-mail: general.enquiries@btp.pnn.police.uk.

Road Traffic Control: A249

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the average waiting times are during rush hour of vehicles on the A249 going to Maidstone from the Sittingbourne or Sheppey direction at the Junction 5 roundabout;
	(2)  how much the re-design and signalling of the Stockbury roundabout at Exit 5 of the M2 cost;
	(3)  what assessment the Highways Agency has made of the safety of Exit 5 of the M2.

Tom Harris: Through its watchman role, the Highways Agency continues to monitor the observed queues at junction 5 of the M2 during peak times but does not currently have a record of the average waiting times. Queuing is generally restricted to the A249 rather than the M2.
	As a consequence of earlier monitoring, the Agency invested £252,626 between 2000-01 and 2003-04 in the re-design and signalling of the Stockbury roundabout.
	Following this investment and further improvements in 2005, safety improved and the junction is now a relatively low priority in safety terms. The Agency continues to monitor the situation.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the current backlog of road maintenance is for strategic roads; what the estimated costs of removing the backlog are; and what the estimated time for removing the backlog is, broken down by region.

Tom Harris: There is no backlog of road maintenance for the strategic road network i.e. the English trunk roads. The network is maintained by applying whole life cost principles, and takes account of the fact that it is not practical or sustainable to maintain the whole network in an as new condition.

Roads: Safety

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what STATS19 returns are; and how they are used to generate road accident casualty figures.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The national collision statistical reporting form (commonly known as STATS19) is used to collect standard information, when a personal injury road accident is reported to the police. The information is collected by the police at the scene of the accident or in a minority of cases it is reported on by a member of the public at a police station. Some 50 data items are collected for each accident, including the time, location and circumstances of the accident, the vehicles involved and some information on each casualty. After processing this information is then forwarded by each police force (via local processing authorities in the case of some forces) to the Department electronically and entered into a database. The data are checked, analysed and detailed results published annually in "Road Casualties Great Britain". In addition quarterly estimates of casualties are published, based on provisional data returns.
	The current data collection system was set up in 1979 following a wide ranging review. The statistics are used to inform public debate on matters of road safety and to provide the basis for determining and monitoring road safety policy at the local and national level. National and local government and local police forces work closely to achieve an agreed national reporting standard. The form is subject to quinquennial reviews which consider any amendments that may be required. Changes are agreed by the Steering Committee on Road Accidents Statistics (SCRAS) which was set up in 1977 to oversee the process for road accident data collection. The membership of the committee is drawn from a wide range of bodies and includes representatives of central government, local government and the police.
	A copy of the current form used by the police (introduced January 2005) can be found on page 173 in "Road Casualties Great Britain: 2006 annual report", published on 27 September 2007. Copies of this report have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Shipping: Oil

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to ban ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Firth of Forth; what recent assessment the Government has made of the risks to the environment of spillage from such transfers; what contingency plans are in place for such circumstances in the area; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department has no plans to introduce legislation banning ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Firth of Forth.
	The Department has not made any recent assessment of the risks to the environment of spillage from ship-to-ship transfers. However, when a ship-to-ship transfer is being considered, we expect the responsible authority to carry out an assessment which takes account of the risks involved.
	The following relevant contingency plans are in place for the Firth of Forth:
	Oil Spill Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Ship-to-Ship Transfer (approved August 2006)
	Clearwater Forth Plan (approved August 2006).

Stretch Limousines

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her timetable is for the introduction of policy guidelines for stretch limousines; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department intends to publish guidance on stretch limousines by January.

Taxis

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what projections have been made of the number of taxi drivers that will be operating in London for each of the next five years.

Rosie Winterton: There are currently 24,500 licensed taxi drivers in London. Transport for London indicates that, assuming the upward trend in the number of taxi drivers continues, this is likely to rise to 25,500 by 2012.

Transport Direct

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the  (a) original estimated and  (b) outturn cost was of Transport Direct.

Rosie Winterton: The original budget for the Transport Direct Programme, which included the development and operation of the Transport Direct Portal among other things, was for the period of spending review 2002 (April 2003 to March 2006). Subsequent budgets for Transport Direct were allocated on an annual basis in spending review 2004 (April 2005 to March 2008) and will be allocated in comprehensive spending review 2007 (April 2008 to March 2011). The estimated and outturn cost of Transport Direct to March 2007 was:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Period  Estimate  Outturn 
			 2003-04 to 2005-06 57 45 
			 2006-07 11 10

Transport Direct

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the  (a) estimated and  (b) outturn cost of the (i) development and (ii) running of the Transport Direct portal was in the last year.

Rosie Winterton: In April 2006, Transport Direct became an operational business unit of the Department for Transport, with the budgets revised to reflect the maturity of the Transport Direct Portal and the reduced need for capital investment. The Transport Direct Portal Service encompasses the Transport Direct Portal Design, Build and Operate (DBO) contract, which covers both development and operation, and the data and services provided by other third parties that underpin the Transport Direct Portal. The estimated and outturn costs for the Transport Direct Portal Service for FY 2006-07 were:
	
		
			  Period FY 2006-07  £ million 
			 Estimate 6.1 
			 Outturn 5.9 
		
	
	These figures represent the total sums paid to the Atos Origin Consortium (the DBO contractor) for all aspects of the DBO contract and to other third-party providers of data and services to the Transport Direct Portal.

Transport Direct

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the value for money of the Transport Direct portal over the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The original business case for Transport Direct recorded three key value for money measures:
	Achieve 1 million user sessions in the first year of service.
	Achieve 10 million user sessions by the end of 2006.
	10 per cent. of users reassess their travel habits as a result of the information provided by TD.
	Of these measures:
	The 1 millionth user session was achieved 10 months after soft-launch of the service (soft-launched in July 2004, achieved in May 2005)
	The 10 millionth user session was recorded on 1 December 2006
	On changing habitual behaviour the portal service includes a self-completion feedback questionnaire. The responses to the questionnaire suggested that for individuals who had made the journey before (about a third of the 2,034 respondents):
	17 per cent. claimed they would change their route,
	24 per cent. would change when they intended to travel.

Transport Direct

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many user sessions Transport Direct recorded in each month since June 2006; and what the weekly rate of user sessions was in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Since June 2006 the following user sessions have been recorded on the Transport Direct portal. This includes user sessions generated by end-users accessing the portal using PC, DigiTV and mobile phones, and those generated by other systems accessing Transport Direct via a web service call. The use of web services to access Transport Direct was introduced in August 2006:
	
		
			  Month  Total 
			 July 2006 697,000 
			 August 2006 778,000 
			 September 2006 746,000 
			 October 2006 802,000 
			 November 2006 951,000 
			 December 2006 893,000 
			 January 2007 983,000 
			 February 2007 855,000 
			 March 2007 954,000 
			 April 2007 829,000 
			 May 2007 940,000 
			 June 2007 985,000 
			 July 2007 1,082,000 
			 August 2007 1,126,000 
			 Total 12,621,000 
		
	
	The average weekly number of user sessions recorded during the six weeks ending 16 September is 254,000.

Vehicle Number Plates: Fraud

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate the Government have made of the numbers of cloned or false number plates being used on British roads.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of vehicles that are, or may have been, subject to vehicle cloning or fitting of false plates is not known. There is no estimate available.

Vehicle Number Plates: Theft

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of mandatory use of tamper-proof number plates to the reduction of vehicle registration plate theft; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In February 2006 the DVLA adopted a voluntary standard for theft resistant number plates to provide consumers with an assurance that products meeting the standard had been subject to rigorous testing. The standard is supported by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
	Officials from the Department have been in discussion with representatives of ACPO and the leading number plate manufacturers about the possibility of making theft resistant plates mandatory. It is recognised that the higher cost of theft resistant plates would impose a financial burden on industry and the general public and it will be necessary to draw up and evaluate an impact assessment before making a decision on whether to proceed further. There would also be a public consultation before any decision was made.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been implemented to improve casualty reporting in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The casualty reporting and notification process has been co-ordinated by the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) at RAF Innsworth since 2005 and all information is routed through it. Casualty reporting from Afghanistan and Iraq has been further streamlined by the introduction of the Joint Personnel Administration system into these theatres in March 2007.
	Casualty figures for Afghanistan and Iraq are now published twice-monthly a fortnight in arrears (previously monthly a month in arrears) and, in conjunction with JCCC, the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) has conducted an exercise to validate historical operational casualty data from January 2001 onwards. The results of their analysis, together with current Aeromedical Evacuation and hospital patient data, have been published on the internet at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Operations Factsheets/OperationsInAfghanistanBritishCasualties.htm
	and
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Operations Factsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishCasualties.htm
	Furthermore, as I announced to the House on 25 July 2007, MOD has moved from a system of recording and reporting mental health statistics relating solely to Operation TELIC (Iraq) to a new system covering all in-service personnel assessed with a mental health disorder at our out-patient Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH). The report also includes a return for new in-patient admissions under the MOD's contract with the Priory Group. These are published quarterly by the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA), and the first report, for the period January—March 2007, is available on their website at:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/pdfs/mentalHealth/report_JanMar07.pdf

Aircraft Carriers

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when  (a) HMS Illustrious and  (b) HMS Ark Royal are planned to be withdrawn from service with the fleet.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 8 October 2007
	Our present planning assumption is that HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal will be withdrawn from service in 2015 and 2012 respectively.

Aircraft Carriers: Procurement

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the intended in-service dates are of the new aircraft carriers.

Des Browne: As I announced to the House on 25 July 2007,  Official Report, column 865, the future aircraft carriers are expected to enter service in 2014 and 2016.

Aircraft Carriers: Procurement

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many and what type of helicopters will be made available for use on the UK's new aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many and what type of aircraft will be made available for use on the UK's new aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The new aircraft carrier has been designed to support, operate and sustain a Joint Force Air Group of up to 40 aircraft, including up to 36 Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) supported by four Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control (MASC) aircraft, with the option of other helicopters (for example Merlin Mkl) embarked.
	We are currently planning to acquire the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to meet the JCA requirement. We are assessing the options to fulfil the MASC requirement and will make the decision when the programme achieves sufficient maturity; we currently expect the main investment decision to be around the end of the decade. We will continue to ensure our plans for JCA and MASC remain coherent with the CVF programme.

al-Yamamah Project

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 25 June 2007,  Official Report, column 362W, on the al-Yamamah project, what the costs were for which his Department received a management fee from the Saudi Arabian government in respect of the al-Yamamah programme; in which years since 1985 a management fee was paid; whether the fees were retained by the Government; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Department has been paid a management fee in every year since 1986 to cover the cost of its participation in the al-Yamamah Project. The fee is held by the Department to cover in full expenditure as it arises on such items as the salaries and salary-related costs of the staff of the Saudi Armed Forces Project, office and domestic accommodation charges, travel and subsistence, IT and telecommunications, training and professional fees, and utilities.

Armed Forces: Coroners

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his oral answer of 16 July 2007,  Official Report, column 16, on military inquests, how many military coroners inquests are outstanding; on what dates he held meetings with ministerial colleagues to discuss outstanding coroners' inquests since he came into office; what discussions he has had with the  (a) Leader of the House and  (b) the Secretary of State for Justice on military inquests since 12 July 2007; and what his definition is of backlog.

Des Browne: holding answer 23 July 2007
	The scheduling of inquests touching on the deaths of Service personnel is a matter for the relevant coroner across England and Wales. As at 28 September 2007, 120 inquests had been completed on Service personnel killed on operations since 2001, 80 of which have been held since the Government took steps to speed up the process on 5 June 2006. 131 inquests remain open: 45 within the jurisdiction of the Oxfordshire Coroner; 44 for the Swindon and Wiltshire Coroner; and 42 for other coroners.
	Of the original backlog of 59 inquests identified in the joint Written Ministerial Statement on 5 June 2006,  Official Report, column 4WS, two remain open within the Oxfordshire Coroner's jurisdiction, one of which has been scheduled. There is one inquest into the deaths of the 10 service personnel killed in the Hercules crash in January 2005 open within the Swindon and Wiltshire Coroner's jurisdiction.
	I regard a backlog as having arisen when the volume of inquests makes it difficult for a coroner to conduct the necessary investigations and inquests in a timely manner. Additional resources have been made available by the MOD and the Ministry of Justice to meet the needs of the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire Coroners. We will keep the need for any further resources under close review.
	Defence Ministers have engaged closely and regularly with colleagues in the Department for Constitutional Affairs/Ministry of Justice and there have been five joint Written Ministerial Statements to update Parliament on this issue and the additional resources made available. The most recent joint Written Ministerial Statement was made by myself and the Minister for Justice on 20 June 2007,  Official Report, column 97WS).

Armed Forces: Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to respond to the Defence Select Committee report on the state of military housing in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: We are looking in detail at the points raised in the report and will respond fully in due course.

Armed Forces: Pensions

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of extending pro rata services pensions to all those who served in the armed forces, including those who served before 1975.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Minister for the Armed Forces during an adjournment debate on 31 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 337-40, which clearly set out the legislation and policy background to the issue. The situation has not changed and there is no real prospect that this or any Government could afford the billions of pounds that would be needed to address public sector pensions legacy issues.

Chad: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role UK armed forces will play in the EU military mission to Chad.

Des Browne: Following the agreement of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778, the EU are discussing a military mission to Chad/Central African Republic. The UK supports the mission as a key means of contributing to regional stability and helping to resolve the Darfur crisis, but we have made it clear that the role of the UK Armed Forces in any mission will be very limited given the extent of our commitments elsewhere.

Defence Export Services Organisation: Manpower

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Defence Export Services Organisation staff were employed in project offices dealing with exports of government to government contracts in April 2007; and how many had duties covering commercial and financial matters.

Des Browne: In April 2007, almost 200 Defence Export Services Organisation staff were employed in project offices dealing with government-to-government export contracts. Of these, 30 were mainly concerned with commercial and financial aspects of the projects.

Defence Export Services Organisation: Saudi Arabia

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many people were employed in project offices by the Defence Export Services Organisation in  (a) Saudi Arabia and  (b) Kuwait in (i) April 2006 and (ii) April 2007;
	(2)  how many staff there were in Defence Supply Secretary Offices overseas employed by the Defence Export Services Organisation in  (a) April 2006 and  (b) April 2007.

Des Browne: The numbers of Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) staff employed in project offices and in other offices overseas in April 2006 and April 2007 are shown in the table as follows.
	
		
			   Staff 
			  Office ( 1)  April 2006  April 2007 
			 Kuwait Project Office 3 2 
			 Saudi Arabia Project Office 62 73 
			 Other overseas offices 40 39 
			 (1) Figures include locally employed staff. Part-time staff are counted as whole.

Defence Procurement Agency: Information Officers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers are employed by the Defence Procurement Agency.

Derek Twigg: In April 2007 the Defence Procurement Agency was merged with that of the Defence Logistics Organisation to become Defence Equipment and Support (DE and S). DE and S employs six press officers.

Defence: Procurement

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the costs incurred as a result of  (a) the procurement of the new carriers,  (b) the procurement of the Joint Strike Fighter,  (c) the Trident replacement programme,  (d) procurement of the type 45 destroyers,  (e) the Future Rapid Effect System,  (f) upgrading naval bases for the new carriers and  (g) replacing assets lost, damaged or prematurely worn out by the conflicts in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan in each of the next five years.

Bob Ainsworth: Current estimates of the costs incurred over the next five years for the programmes are as follows.
	 Carriers
	The overall estimated costs to be incurred as a result of the procurement of the new carriers in the next five years will total £2,415 million.
	Disclosure of the detailed estimated annual costings over the five-year period for the procurement of the new carrier would likely prejudice the commercial interest of the project and cannot be provided.
	 Joint Strike Fighter
	Current estimates of the costs incurred for Joint Strike Fighter are shown in Table A.
	
		
			  Table A: Joint Strike Fighter 
			   £ million 
			 2008-09 160 
			 2009-10 200 
			 2010-11 250 
			 2011-12 285 
			 2012-13 360 
		
	
	 UK Nuclear Deterrent Programme
	The costs provided in Table B are the estimated costs that the MOD expects to incur over the next three years to implement the decisions to maintain the UK's nuclear deterrent capability beyond the life of the current Vanguard class submarines as set out in the December 2006 White Paper, 'The Future of the United Kingdom's Nuclear Deterrent' (Cm6994) and endorsed by Parliament on 14 March 2007.
	The main part of the programme has not passed business case initial gate approval. Detailed spending plans for future years are therefore not set at this stage.
	
		
			  Table B :  The future UK nuclear deterrent programme 
			   £ million 
			 2008-09 200 
			 2009-10 300 
			 2010-11 400 
			 2011-12 — 
			 2012-13 — 
		
	
	 Type 45 Destroyers
	Current estimates of the costs for Type 45 Destroyers are shown in Table C.
	
		
			  Table C: Type 45 Destroyers 
			   £ million 
			 2008-09 550 
			 2009-10 430 
			 2010-11 420 
			 2011-12 290 
			 2012-13 310 
		
	
	 Future Rapid Effect System
	The estimated costs for the assessment phase of the Future Rapid Effect System project as set out in the National Audit Office Ministry of Defence Major Projects Report 2006 is £649 million.
	Disclosure of detailed estimated annual costings over the five year period for the procurement of FRES would likely prejudice the commercial interest of the project and cannot be provided.
	 Upgrading Naval Bases
	The estimated costs to be incurred as a result of upgrading the naval bases for the new carriers in the next five years will total £67 million.
	Disclosure of the detailed estimated annual costings over the five year period for the upgrading of the naval bases would likely prejudice the commercial interest of the project and cannot be provided.
	 Replacement of Assets
	Due to the unpredictable nature of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan it is not possible to predict an estimate of the costs of replacing assets lost, damaged or prematurely worn out by the conflicts.

Departments: ICT

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department received from the disposal of information technology equipment in the last year for which figures are available; and what avenues were used for such disposal.

Derek Twigg: In the last financial year, the net sales revenue generated by the sale of information technology equipment was £120,000. The MOD disposes of this equipment through its Disposal Services Authority (DSA), using incentivised contracts of sale where returns are divided between MOD and the contractor, to encourage maximum revenue generation. Additionally, DSA runs a contract for the disposal of IT equipment classified as hazardous, for which a fee is paid.

Departments: Pay

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of the total work force they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid has been; what the largest single payment was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The MOD civilian staff numbers, taken from the departmental end of year accounts, is 90,650 (excluding trading funds). Figures for the 2006-07 financial year are not yet available, we are only able to supply four years of data. The number and value of annual appraisal related bonuses paid to members of the senior civil service (SCS), to fixed term appointees and to civil servants below the level of the SCS covered by the MOD main pay deal (excluding trading funds and agencies), over the past four years, are listed in the following tables one to three. The Ministry of Defence also awards special bonuses to individuals and teams for exceptional performance in a specific task or for the achievement of professional qualifications which benefit MOD and the individual; these are shown in table four. The final table (five) shows the total value of all bonuses paid: in cash terms and as a percentage of the civilian work force.
	
		
			  Table 1:  Bonuses paid to senior civil servants 
			   2006-07  2005- 0 6  2004- 0 5  2003- 0 4 
			 Number of bonuses paid 181 184 136 140 
			 Value of bonuses paid (£) 1,178,500 918,000 711,737 701,221 
			 Highest bonus payment (£) 16,000 12,500 11,358 9,822 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Bonuses paid to fixed term appointees 
			   2006-07  2005- 0 6  2004- 0 5  2003- 0 4 
			 Number of bonuses paid 10 10 14 13 
			 Value of bonuses paid (£) 73,191 65,586 112,329 86,531 
			 Highest bonus payment (£) 12,915 14,340 8,500 6,827 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3:  End of year bonuses paid to staff below the level of the SCS( 1) 
			   2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04 
			 Number of bonuses paid 46,463 38,766 36,043 27,497 
			 Value of bonuses paid (£) 36,197,006 37,962,800 29,312,275 20,203,875 
			 Highest bonus payment (£) 3,750 3,750 3,175 2,600 
			 (1) Excluding MOD trading fund agencies 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4:  Special bonuses( 1) 
			   2006-07  2005- 0 6  2004- 0 5  2003- 0 4 
			 Number of staff who received bonus(es) 9,974 10,131 10,074 11,872 
			 Value of bonuses paid (£) 3,961,417 4,364,400 3,962,482 3,909,531 
			 Highest bonus payment (£) 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 
			 (1) Excluding MOD trading fund agencies 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 5: Summary of bonuses paid 
			  Total  2006-07  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04 
			 Value of all bonuses paid (£) 41,410,114 43,310,786 34, 098,823 24,901,158 
			 Percentage of total civilian work force 62.5 51.3 47.8 41.1

Ex-Servicemen: Military Decorations

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veteran badges have been distributed in each East Midlands constituency.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held in a format that identifies how many Veterans Badges have been issued in each parliamentary constituency and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However Service Personnel and Veterans Agency records have identified that a total of 20,967 badges have been issued in the East Midlands area during the period since 18 April 2005 to date 30 September 2007. The numbers have been identified by the applicants' East Midlands post codes and are broken down as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Derbyshire 3,689 
			 Leicestershire and Rutland 5,250 
			 Warwickshire 3,770 
			 Nottinghamshire 8,258 
		
	
	Veterans Badges were issued by the Veterans Policy Unit between May 2004 and 17 April 2005. During this period 82,000 badges were issued, however, detailed records in the format required are not held for this period.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why Multi-National Division-South East personnel have reassumed air traffic control responsibility for commercial flight services at Basra International Airport.

Des Browne: holding answer 8 October 2007
	 UK personnel reassumed Air Traffic Control (ATC) responsibility for commercial flight services at Basra International Airport pending the award of a new US-funded ATC training contract. Training to allow Iraqi personnel to take on this task across the country is expected to re-commence later this year, and Multi National Division (South-East)'s ATC responsibilities will be reviewed accordingly.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many attacks there have been on British forces stationed at Basra airport in Iraq in each of the last 12 months; how many British personnel were injured or killed as a result of these attacks; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 12 September 2007
	The number of indirect fire attacks on UK forces stationed at Basra air station in Iraq in each of the last 12 months is broken down in the following table:
	
		
			  Month  Number of indirect fire attacks 
			  2006  
			 October 6 
			 November 8 
			 December 16 
			  2007  
			 January 18 
			 February 12 
			 March 10 
			 April 64 
			 May 77 
			 June 76 
			 July 74 
			 August 32 
			 September 5 
		
	
	There have been three UK service personnel killed as a result of indirect fire attacks on Basra air station over this period. They were killed in a single incident on 19 July 2007. It is not possible to break down the number of persons injured as a result of each of these attacks, as this would contravene operational security and be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
	Further information on the number of UK military and civilian personnel killed and injured between March 2003 and August 2007 is provided on the MOD website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Operations Factsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishCasualties.htm
	The information on the website does not include UK civilians employed or contracted by other Government Departments or by civilian contractors. This information is not held by the MOD.

Military Aircraft

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft there are in the RAF, broken down by aircraft type.

Bob Ainsworth: The numbers of aircraft planned to be in service with the RAF on 31 March 2008 are contained in the following table:
	
		
			  Aircraft type  Fleet number 
			 Typhoon 49 
			 Tornado GR 137 
			 Tornado F3 68 
			 Harrier 78 
			 Nimrod(1) 18 
			 Tristar 9 
			 VC10 16 
			 Sentry 7 
			 Sentinel 5 
			 C130K(2) 20 
			 C130J 24 
			 C17(3) 5 
			 Islander 2 
			 BAe 146 2 
			 BAe 125 6 
			 Sea King 25 
			 Dominie 9 
			 Hawk 112 
			 Tucano 95 
			 Vigilant 64 
			 Viking 82 
			 (1) Includes Nimrod MR2 and R1. (2) Does not reflect the loss of one C130K in Iraq on 23 August 2007. (3) Figure does not include the sixth C17 announced by Secretary of State on 26 July 2007. This will be delivered later in 2008. 
		
	
	These figures include Sentinel, Typhoon and C17 aircraft that are continuing to be delivered during the current financial year. Three Typhoon aircraft remain to be delivered in this financial year. The last of these aircraft is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2008. Two Sentinel aircraft are to be delivered, one in the last quarter of 2007 and one in the first quarter of 2008. One C17 is due to be delivered from the Lockheed production line in the first quarter of 2008.

Ministry of Defence Police: Arrests

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many arrests were made by the Ministry of Defence police in each of the last five years; and how many of these resulted in successful prosecutions.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence police do not routinely record the total number of arrests that they make. Not all arrests result in prosecution. Some arrests are made on suspicions that later prove to be unfounded. Other arrests are made to prevent a potential offence being committed which result in subsequent de-arrest when the threat posed is removed.

Ministry of Defence Police: Finance

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding was allocated to the Ministry of Defence police in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: The budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2006-07 291.020 
			 2005-06 283.116 
			 2004-05 255.480 
			 2003-04 250.826 
			 2002-03 142.268 
		
	
	The figures in the table are included in the chief constable's annual report and accounts. The figures quoted from financial year 2003-04 also include the budgetary provision for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service.

Ministry of Defence Police: Finance

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Government Departments contribute to the funding of the Ministry of Defence police force.

Derek Twigg: The funding for the Ministry of Defence police is included in the overall Defence budget. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Treasury and the Home Office reimburse the Department for Ministry of Defence policing commitments overseas, at the Royal Mint (an Executive Agency) and at gas installations in the United Kingdom, respectively.

RAF Cosford

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a statement on future military uses for RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1442W, and the statement made by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 12 September 2007,  Official Report, column 122WS. The Department is exploring a number of proposals for the future defence use of DCAE Cosford and no decision has yet been made. These proposals include the possibility of basing troops returning to the UK from Germany at Cosford, and further announcements will be made once this work has been completed.

Warships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) destroyers and  (b) frigates are scheduled to (i) leave and (ii) enter service with the Royal Navy in each of the next 10 years.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 8 October 2007
	On present planning assumptions, which are routinely reviewed and updated, we expect to withdraw destroyers and frigates from service as follows:
	
		
			   Destroyers  Frigates 
			 2007 0 0 
			 2008 0 0 
			 2009 2 0 
			 2010 1 0 
			 2011 2 0 
			 2012 2 0 
			 2013 1 0 
			 2014 0 0 
			 2015 0 1 
			 2016 0 0 
		
	
	It is departmental policy to release in-service dates only for those warships for which the main investment decision has been taken. Over the period in question, in-service dates for new destroyers and frigates have been established as follows:
	
		
			   Destroyers  Frigates 
			 2007 0 0 
			 2008 0 0 
			 2009 1 0 
			 2010 1 0 
			 2011 2 0 
			 2012 1 0 
			 2013 1 0 
			 2014 0 0 
			 2015 0 0 
			 2016 0 0

Warships

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the scheduled out-of-service dates are of each  (a) destroyer,  (b) frigate and  (c) submarine in service with the Royal Navy.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 8 October 2007
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 3 September 2007,  Official Report, column 1632W, to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox).

Warships: Shipbuilding

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was spent on shipbuilding for  (a) the Royal Navy and  (b) the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in each year since 1992.

Bob Ainsworth: This information is not held centrally, on a year by year basis, nor is it held to the level of detail requested. Estimates detailing how much has been spent on total shipbuilding and repairs in UK industry and commerce can be found in the latest edition of the UK Defence Statistics. The information is in the table.
	The figures for 2006-07 are still being finalised and will be released in the future. Programmes such as the new Future Carriers, the Type 45 and the Astute will lead to further investment in this area.
	
		
			  MOD estimated UK expenditure by industry group. shipbuilding and repairing—1991-92 to 2005-06 
			   £ million( 1) 
			 1991-92 1,227 
			 1992-93 1,204 
			 1993-94 1,020 
			 1994-95 882 
			 1995-96 766 
			 1996-97 733 
			 1997-98 790 
			 1998-99 1,180 
			 1999-2000 1,090 
			 2000-01 1,110 
			 2001-02 1,230 
			 2002-03 1,070 
			 2003-04 1,160 
			 2004-05 1,060 
			 2005-06 1,100 
			 (1) Figures are VAT exclusive and at current prices.

HEALTH

Care Homes: Dementia

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the decent homes standards are for late stage dementia sufferers in residential accommodation.

Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply.
	In June 2006 the Department for Communities and Local Government published 'A Decent Home: Definition and Guidance for implementation'. This publication makes it clear that:
	"The decent homes standard does not apply to Care Homes providing nursing care and regulated by the Commission for Social Care" (paragraph 4.8).
	However, the Department of Health has published national minimum standards under section 23 (1) of the Care Standards Act 2000 which form the basis on which the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) registers, inspects and reports on adult social care services, and councils who arrange these services, in England. These standards set out, among other things, the minimum level for residential accommodation for care homes regulated by the CSCI.

Care Homes: Fees and Charges

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many older people he expects to have to sell their homes to cover the cost of residential care in  (a) 2010,  (b) 2020,  (c) 2030 and  (d) 2040.

Ivan Lewis: Information about the sale of property to pay for residential care is not collected centrally. Nor is this information automatically collected locally where a person arranges their care privately. It is not, therefore, possible to estimate the number of homes that are, or may be, sold for this purpose.
	It is the Government's policy to support people in their own homes for as long as possible, where it is safe to do so and when it accords with their wishes and assessed needs, which is where most people want to be.
	For those people entering residential care, the Government have taken steps to help people avoid selling their homes to pay for residential care. Since October 2001, councils have been able to enter into deferred payments agreements with residents. Under this, the council place a legal charge on the resident's former home which is not collected until the end of the contract. This gives people more options for meeting care home fees.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Celia Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide Government support specialist NHS centres for those affected by chronic fatigue syndrome in England.

Ann Keen: We have no current Government plans to provide support for further specialist national health service centres for those living with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronically Sick: Health Services

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the implementation of the National Framework for Long-term Conditions.

Ann Keen: The Department has published a number of documents to support implementation of the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions. These include an audit tool, evaluated examples of good practice, an information strategy, a summary of the evidence on savings and performance indicators within the better metrics project.
	Primary care trusts are expected to work towards implementing the NSF over a 10-year period.

Community Hospitals

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been to recipient community hospitals of each scheme approved to date under the expenditure programme of up to £750 million in community hospitals and services announced in July 2006, broken down by constituency; and what the total cost of approved schemes under the programme is.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 8 October 2007
	Capital allocations from the community hospitals and services programme are made to primary care trusts. £94.5 million has been allocated for 14 schemes. The total estimated cost of these schemes is £140 million. No scheme has been allocated less than the amount requested. We do not hold figures broken down into parliamentary constituencies.

Community Hospitals

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many schemes and at what total cost had been approved by the end of financial year 2006-07 from the five-year expenditure programme of up to £750 million in community hospitals and services announced in July 2006.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 8 October 2007
	We announced four schemes in December 2006. A new primary care centre in Washington; the redevelopment of the Gosport War Memorial Hospital; the development of a new community health centre in Yate, Bristol; and the establishment of a Healthy Living Park in Minehead, West Somerset. The total amount allocated to these schemes is £44.6 million. All schemes are subject to the business case approval process.

Contraceptives

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to increase access to advanced training in contraceptive services.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department is working with the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, the Royal College of Nurses and others to look at improving access to training in contraception at all levels.
	In particular the FPA, at the request of the Department, will hold a specialist working group on nurse training in contraception in November 2007.

Departments: Public Bodies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 1630-4W, on Departments: public bodies, what changes were made to the NHS Information Centre's responsibilities in each year since 2004-05; to which bodies any such responsibilities were transferred; and what the budget of the Centre was in each year.

Ivan Lewis: The Health and Social Care Information Centre, now known as The Information Centre for health and social care (IC), was created by statutory instrument as a special health authority on 1 April 2005.
	The Information Centre's revenue resource limit from the Department is set out in the following table.
	Revenue resource limit for The Information Centre 2004-05 to 2007-08
	
		
			   Revenue Resource Limit (£ million) 
			 2004-05 (1)0 
			 2005-06 53.1 
			 2006-07 41.5 
			 2007-08 (2)37.2 
			 (1) No funding allocated in 2004-05 because the IC was only established on 1 April 2005.  (2) The 2007-08 figure is subject to change because the revenue resource limit for 2007-08 will only be finalised in January. 
		
	
	The IC took over some of the functions of the earlier NHS Information Authority, which it replaced, together with most of the activities of the former Department of Health Statistics Division and the Prescribing Support Unit of West Yorkshire Health Authority, from which staff were transferred into the IC. These areas of work have been reviewed, integrated and further developed within the remit of the IC.
	There have been no changes to the responsibilities of the IC since its establishment in April 2005. As part of the process of integration and consolidation since this date, every opportunity has been taken to ensure that the work undertaken by the IC has been delivered in the most effective and efficient manner. Changes in processes and ways of working have ensured that the IC has delivered efficiencies since it was established, while ensuring that priorities are still delivered.

Doctors: Career Structure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2007,  Official Report, column 452W, on doctors' training, how many junior doctors in the first round of applications were told in error that they had received a training place; and what actions were taken by deaneries to ensure that this did not occur.

Ann Keen: The number of applicants told in error is not held centrally. The Department understands that it was a small number and that deaneries contacted the doctors to notify them of the situation. It is a matter for deaneries to manage the appointment process.

Doctors: Career Structure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors did not receive job offers in the first round of medical training applications; and what percentage of applicants this represented.

Ann Keen: In England, there were 27,800 eligible applicants for 15,554 training posts. At the end of Round 1, 85 per cent. of posts were filled. 13,168 applicants had accepted posts, leaving 14,632 who had either not received an offer or had not accepted an offer. The information held centrally does not distinguish between those who received an offer but did not accept it and those who did not receive any offer.

Doctors: Career Structure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support will be offered to doctors who do not receive a training place in either the first or second round of recruitment in order to safeguard their future careers.

Ann Keen: We have prepared a package of support for those doctors who are appointable to a training post, but who are not successful in finding one by the end of round 2. This package of support includes additional training and educational opportunities. This comprises:
	Access to career information about future training options via local deaneries. Applicants who are already in national health service employment will also be able to access career support from their employer.
	About 1,000 extra one-year and general practitioner training posts which will become available for unsuccessful applicants at the end of round 2.
	Educational bursaries, so that appointable but unsuccessful applicants who are in NHS service posts can pursue their clinical education and improve their chances of successfully applying for specialty training next year.
	In addition, we have agreed that all foundation programme graduates (F2) who are unsuccessful at the end of round 2 will receive a formal career interview which will determine their eligibility for the extra one-year posts and educational grants offered in 'clearing'.
	Also, we have opened up discussions with the British Medical Association, the Academy of Royal Colleges and other representatives of the medical profession to discuss whether there is any risk that high academic achievers may be missed by the end of the recruitment process, and if so, how we can avoid that happening.

Doctors: Career Structure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of junior doctor training posts, unfilled after the first round of job offers, have been temporarily filled by doctors on short-term contracts.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not held centrally. It is for the local national health service to fill any vacant posts appropriately.

Dr. Bhattacharyya

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the redundancy of Dr. Bhattacharyya.

Ann Keen: Staff redundancies in the local national health service is a local matter.

Fibromyalgia

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent steps his Department has taken to raise awareness of fibromyalgia among  (a) the general public and  (b) health professionals;
	(2)  what progress is being made in improving NHS  (a) diagnosis and  (b) treatment of fibromyalgia;
	(3)  what recent representations he has had and received on fibromyalgia.

Ann Keen: We have made no assessment of the progress being made by the national health service into improving the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia.
	We have taken no recent steps to raise awareness of fibromyalgia among the general public and health professionals.
	We have received three recent Downing Street e-petitions on fibromyalgia, as well as correspondence from individuals and their Members of Parliament.

Health Professions: Employment

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to assist newly qualified nurses to find employment; and what recent discussions there have been between his Department and the Health Ministers in  (a) Wales and  (b) Scotland on placing newly qualified (i) nurses, (ii) physiotherapists and (iii) consultant doctors in employment.

Ann Keen: In April 2007 the Social Partnership Forum, a partnership between the Department, unions and NHS employers, launched an action plan for maximising the opportunities for newly qualified health care professionals in England. This sets out actions to deliver a demonstrable improvement in graduate employment. NHS employers are undertaking a review of progress against the action plan.
	Officials in the Department, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly will continue to discuss issues affecting the national health service workforce.

Health Services: Bedfordshire

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received on the funding of NHS primary care trusts in Bedfordshire and Luton; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Ministers have answered letters from both the hon. Member for Luton, South (Margaret Moran) and the hon. Member for Luton, North (Kelvin Hopkins) about the allocations made to both Bedfordshire and Luton primary care trusts. There have also been a number of letters from the local patient and public involvement forums as well as members of the public on the same issue.

Horton Hospital: John Radcliffe Hospital

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at what times patients were admitted to the Horton general hospital from the John Radcliffe hospital on  (a) 2 May,  (b) 3 May,  (c) 24 May,  (d) 18 June,  (e) 2 July,  (f) 5 July,  (g) 7 July,  (h) 13 July,  (i) 18 July,  (j) 19 July,  (k) 20 July and  (l) 21 July.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not held centrally.

Hospitals: Admissions

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospitals in England rapid screen elective admissions.

Ann Keen: holding answer 8 October 2007
	Information on rapid methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening is not available centrally but we believe that it is used in a small number of hospitals.
	However, on 4 October, in his interim report 'Our NHS, Our Future', Lord Darzi announced the introduction of MRSA screening for all elective admissions from next year, and for all emergency admissions as soon as practicable within the next three years.

Incontinence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish guidance on continence services as part of the planned high-level report on developing services for older people with complex needs.

Ivan Lewis: The key messages for developing services for older people with complex needs were outlined in the National Clinical Director for Older People's reconfiguration report "A Recipe for Care" published in January of this year. There are no plans to issue further guidance on continence services but the National Clinical Director continues to advise Ministers on developing services for older people with complex needs and will continue to publish evidence-based information to support service development.
	The management of continence is a key issue for the care of older people, as highlighted in Standard 2 of the National Service Framework for Older People and is one of the conditions for which early intervention is recommended, as outlined in "A Recipe for Care".

Incontinence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the results of the second survey of continence care for older people undertaken by the Royal College of Physicians.

Ivan Lewis: We have made no assessment of the results of the second survey of continence care undertaken by the Royal College of Physicians.

Incontinence: Children

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific measures are in place to deliver an incontinence service for younger people and disabled children.

Ivan Lewis: The assessment of paediatric continence services is for local primary care trusts (PCTs), with a view to compliance with standard six of the national service framework for children. This standard includes a specific section on paediatric incontinence. The provision of continence services for younger people and disabled children is the responsibility of local PCTs, with a view to compliance with standard six of the national service framework for children. This standard includes a specific section on paediatric incontinence.

Incontinence: Home Care Services

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to carry out a review of the impact on elderly people of changes to the home delivery service of incontinence products;
	(2)  how many health authorities provide an integrated incontinence service;
	(3)  what powers are available to the Government to oblige health bodies to comply with the guidelines contained in Good Practice in Continence Services; and whether sanctions are available for non-compliance;
	(4)  whether the Government plans to carry out research to ascertain how many people suffer from incontinence, broken down by  (a) the age and sex of those affected and  (b) the form of incontinence.

Ivan Lewis: We have no plans to carry out research into the number of people living with incontinence.
	Information on the number of strategic health authorities (SHAs) proving an integrated continence service is not collected centrally.
	We currently have no plans to review the impact on older people of the changes to the home delivery service of continence products.
	Health bodies are expected to have regard for the guidance contained in the document "Good Practice in Continence Services". SHAs have a duty to ensure that primary care trusts provide acceptable continence services. The Healthcare Commission may intervene where health bodies fail to provide an adequate level of service.

Maternity Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 16 July 2007,  Official Report, column 176W, on maternity services, on what evidential basis the figure for live births in England in 2006 was estimated; and what percentage change this figure represented from live births in England in 2005.

Ann Keen: In 2005 there were 613,028 live births in England. In 2006 there were 635,748 live births. This was a 3.7 per cent. increase on live births in England in 2005. The figure for live births in the original reply was for England and Wales whereas these figures are England only. This information is given in the table. Table 6 of the "Office for National Statistics Births (Provisional), Selected Background Data, England and Wales" and is published on the ONS website at:
	www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/Table_6_Area_Health.xls
	The figure for the number of live births in England 2006 comes from the details collected when births are registered. Registering a birth is a legal requirement and must be done within 42 days of the birth. Births to residents of England which are registered elsewhere are excluded, while births registered in England whose usual residence is elsewhere, are included.
	
		
			  Table 6: live births by health area of usual residence of mother, numbers, general fertility rates and total fertility rates, 2006—England and Wales, Government Office Regions (within England), and health authorities/boards( 1) 
			  Area of usual residence  Live births  GFR( 2)  TFR( 3) 
			  England and Wales 669,601 60.2 1.86 
			 
			  England 635,748 60.3 1.86 
			 
			  North East 29,184 56.5 1.80 
			 North East 29,184 56.5 1.80 
			 
			  North West 84,155 60.0 1.90 
			 North West 84,155 60.0 1.90 
			 
			  Yorkshire and the Humber 62,955 59.4 1.86 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 62,955 59.4 1.86 
			 
			  East Midlands 50,717 57.4 1.83 
			 East Midlands 50,717 57.4 1.83 
			 
			  West Midlands 67,688 62.5 1.97 
			 West Midlands 67,688 62.5 1.97 
			 
			  East 66,870 59.9 1.88 
			 East of England 66,870 59.9 1.88 
			 
			  London 120,898 65.8 1.85 
			 London 120,898 65.8 1.85 
			 
			  South East 98,566 59.2 1.85 
			 South East Coast 49,163 59.0 1.86 
			 South Central 49,403 59.4 1.83 
			 
			  South West 54,715 56.1 1.80 
			 South West 54,715 56.1 1.80 
			 
			  Wales 33,628 58.1 1.86 
			 Anglesey 697 58.2 1.92 
			 Gwynedd 1,331 60.3 1.91 
			 Conwy 1,149 62.2 2.13 
			 Denbighshire 989 58.2 1.94 
			 Flintshire 1,719 58.9 1.93 
			 Wrexham 1,597 61.7 1.96 
			 Powys Teaching 1,222 57.3 2.02 
			 Ceredigion 590 39.3 1.48 
			 Pembrokeshire 1,278 63.1 2.18 
			 Carmarthenshire 1,887 58.9 1.95 
			 Swansea 2,543 56.2 1.79 
			 Neath Port Talbot 1,515 58.4 1.92 
			 Bridgend 1,526 59.1 1.96 
			 Vale of Glamorgan 1,360 57.3 1.90 
			 Cardiff 4,216 55.2 1.69 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff Teaching 2,778 58.1 1.81 
			 Merthyr Tydfil 692 62.2 2.06 
			 Caerphilly Teaching 2,167 63.1 2.01 
			 Blaenau Gwent 770 55.8 1.86 
			 Torfaen 1,069 60.8 1.99 
			 Monmouthshire 854 56.4 2.00 
			 Newport 1,679 58.9 1.93 
			 
			 Normal residence outside England and Wales 225 — — 
			 (1) Strategic health authorities in England and local health boards in Wales. (2) The general fertility rate (GFR) is the number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. (3) The total fertility rate (TFR) is the average number of children that would be born per woman if women experienced the age-specific fertility rates of the year in question throughout their childbearing lifespan.

Midwives: Pay

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress on implementing the pay rise for midwives payable in financial year 2007-08.

Ann Keen: Discussions continue between the Department, the NHS Employers organisation and the national health service unions about this year's pay award. We are hopeful the outcome from these talks will enable the award to be implemented shortly.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Work and Pensions on the implementation of the Musculoskeletal Services Framework as a method of reducing  (a) long-term sickness and  (b) the number of people claiming incapacity benefit.

Ann Keen: We are not aware of any discussions between departmental officials and the Department for Work and Pensions on the implementation of the musculoskeletal services framework as a method of reducing long-term sickness and the number of people claiming incapacity benefit.
	The framework was published as good practice guidance and it is for local organisations to decide how best to implement it.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information the National Clinical and Health Outcomes Database captures on musculoskeletal system problems; and how much expenditure this covers within that category of expenditure within the National Programme Budgeting Database.

Ann Keen: The clinical and health outcomes knowledge base contains comparative data from over 700 health and local government organisations. Databases capturing information on musculoskeletal problems include:
	The United Kingdom pain database;
	The national spinal injuries centre medical research database,
	The national joint registry;
	Norfolk arthritis register;
	National total hip replacement outcomes study; and
	Trent and North West arthroplasty registers.
	Information on the expenditure covered by these databases is not available.

Musculoskeletal Disorders

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to extend the clinical and health outcomes data collected in relation to musculoskeletal system problems (excluding trauma).

Ann Keen: We are not aware of any specific plans to extend the clinical and health outcomes data collected in relation to musculoskeletal problems.

NHS: Alcoholic Drinks

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff were given time off for treatment for either alcohol or drug abuse in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: Data are not collected centrally on how many national health service staff are given time off for treatment for either alcohol or drug abuse. It is the responsibility of NHS employers to support their staff with any health related problems, ensuring that patient safety is also taken into consideration.

NHS: ICT

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the annual survey of NHS information management and technology expenditure is expected to be published.

Ben Bradshaw: Full results and analysis from the 2006 survey were published in January 2007. A copy of the survey results has been placed in the House Library and can also be found online at:
	www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/resources/funding.
	Information from the 2007 survey is expected to be published in January 2008.

NHS: Internet

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total set-up costs were for the Our NHS, Our Future consultation website; what was the total cost to his Department of the COI Communications video presented via the website; and what ongoing costs will be incurred by his Department for the upkeep of the website.

Ann Keen: The success of the review depends on good communication and the involvement of patients, public and staff. The set-up costs of the communications website are expected to total around £6,000, and the film about £20,000. The ongoing costs of the upkeep of the website will relate to the content as it develops over the course of the review.

Organs: Donors

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps the Government are taking to increase the number of people on the organ donor register;
	(2)  how many people were on the organ donor register in each of the last 10 years;
	(3)  what proportion of families refused consent to donate relatives' organs in the case of  (a) all deaths,  (b) deaths where the individual was on the organ donor register and  (c) deaths where the individual was not on the organ donor register in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: The number on the organ donor register in each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Million 
			   Added in year  Total at end 
			 1994 0.14 0.14 
			 1995 2.21 2.35 
			 1996 1.39 3.74 
			 1997 0.92 4.66 
			 1998 0.87 5.53 
			 1999 1.51 7.04 
			 2000 1.23 8.27 
			 2001 0.74 9.01 
			 2002 1.08 10.09 
			 2003 0.87 10.96 
			 2004 0.96 11.92 
			 2005 1.01 12.93 
			 2006 1.04 13.97 
		
	
	Information on family refusal is only collected in the case of deceased potential heartbeating donors for whom solid organ donation was considered and whose family were approached for consent to donation.
	In these cases, the overall refusal rate was 39.9 per cent. In cases whereby the potential donor was known to be on the organ donor register, the family refusal rate was 6.5 per cent. In cases where it was known that the potential donor was not on the organ donor register, the family refusal rate was 36.6 per cent.
	The Department launched "Saving Lives, Valuing Donors: A Transplant Framework for England" in 2003 and the National Service Framework for Renal Services in 2004. These set out the Department's key aims for organ and tissue transplantation over the following 10 years. Government investment in hospital-based funding has helped increase donor rates and an organ donor taskforce will report to Ministers in autumn 2007 on how organ donor rates can be further improved. Following the publication of the chief medical officer's annual report in July, the taskforce will also examine the potential impact on organ donation of introducing an 'opt out' or presumed consent scheme.

Paediatrics: Foreign Workers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many international medical graduates were excluded from applying for paediatrics because they did not have highly skilled migrant programme status on 5 February 2007.

Ann Keen: No candidates have been excluded from applying for programmes in the specialty training recruitment process because they were not on the highly skilled migrant programme on February 2007.
	However the applications of applicants who do not meet the right to work criteria should only be considered if there are no suitable United Kingdom or European economic area applicants.

Paediatrics: Training

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what proportion of total training posts in paediatrics in England have been filled with junior doctors in training programmes for  (a) paediatricians and  (b) general practice;
	(2)  what proportion of paediatric training posts were unfilled on  (a) 26 July and  (b) 8 October 2007.

Ann Keen: The answer is as follows:
	89 per cent. of posts in paediatrics have been filled as at 26 July 2007.
	91 per cent. of posts in paediatrics have been filled as at 2 September 2007.
	100 per cent. of posts in general practice have been filled.
	Round two is still ongoing.
	The proportion of paediatric training posts that will be unfilled at 8 October 2007 is not available yet.

Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Agency Nurses

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on agency nurses providing temporary cover in the Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 8 October 2007
	 Information on how much was spent on agency nurses at Peterborough hospital prior to the trust attaining foundation trust status are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Non-NHS staff (agency, etc.) (by national health service classification) salaries and wages—nursing, midwifery and health visiting 
			  Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust/Peterborough and Stamford Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  Expenditure (£) 
			 1997-98 164,803 
			 1998-99 200,280 
			 1999-2000 449,683 
			 2000-01 451,792 
			 2001-02 208,525 
			 2002-03 444,028 
			 2003-04 1,626,075 
			  Source: Trust Financial Returns 1997-98 to 2003-04 
		
	
	Information relating to staffing costs is no longer held centrally in view of the trust achieving NHS foundation trust status from 1 April 2004. These data can be obtained by contacting the chair of the trust.

Secure Psychiatric Units

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of whether there is sufficient capacity in existing regional medium secure units to meet the need for such places in each region; in which regions there is an assessed shortfall; what the extent is of the shortfall in each case; and what plans are in place to address the shortfall.

Ivan Lewis: Data on capacity for medium secure services are not routinely collected by the Department. The Department works to support local commissioners, as it is the responsibility of local commissioners to assess service needs in their area and plan accordingly. A capacity review of high and medium secure services was completed in January 2006 in order to inform policy on this issue and to help support commissioners. This capacity review took into consideration historical utilisation, changing legislation (e.g. draft Mental Health Bill and public protection orders), court sentencing trends, prison transfers and the needs of different patient groups (e.g. women, learning disabled men, patients with dangerous and severe personality disorder and deaf patients).
	The review concluded that the need for medium secure capacity was gradually rising and robust local commissioning plans were necessary to ensure that there was strategic planning on a regional basis to deliver additional medium secure capacity in a co-ordinated way and to ensure that commissioning delivered good value for money. As at January 2006 when the review took place, there were 29 national health service medium secure units providing around 1,972 beds, with a further 1,500 beds provided by the independent sector. This has now increased and there are 32 NHS medium secure units.
	The capacity review set out three projections for increases in medium secure capacity, based on variations in trends. The low projections were the lowest capacity increase likely and the high projections were the highest capacity increase likely. The medium projections were the most likely and, in subsequent discussions with stakeholders, the medium projections were thought to be reasonable. An extract from the review with a breakdown of capacity and projections by catchment areas is shown in the following tables. In total, the medium projections in the capacity review predicted an increase in capacity of 614 beds for men and 85 beds for women between 2005-06 and 2010-11, so a total of 699 beds. The NHS is on course to exceed this projected increase in capacity in medium secure services, as long as outlined local plans are followed.
	The NHS have been working on local commissioning plans to ensure strategic planning on a regional basis. These local commissioning plans are under constant review by local commissioners and are updated to take account of changing local circumstances.
	Extract from the capacity review showing estimated projected capacity requirements for medium secure services:
	The following tables show total patient and bed numbers for 2005-06 to 2010-11 broken down by catchment group.
	
		
			  Male patients 
			   2005-06  End 2010-11 
			  Catchment group  Baseline  Lower  Middle  Higher 
			 East Midlands and South Yorks 166 197 223 311 
			 Eastern 211 214 235 293 
			 London 727 828 906 1,155 
			 North West 319 357 391 504 
			 Northern 95 107 120 159 
			 South 265 358 385 466 
			 Wales 145 176 193 247 
			 West Midlands 240 264 302 429 
			 Yorkshire 158 180 185 203 
			 Total—males 2,326 2,681 2,940 3,769 
		
	
	
		
			  Female patients 
			   2005-06  End 2010-11 
			  Catchment group  B aseline  L ower  M iddle  H igher 
			 East Midlands and South Yorks 26 30 33 46 
			 Eastern 48 53 53 55 
			 London 94 116 122 137 
			 North West 64 66 69 79 
			 Northern 11 12 13 16 
			 South 78 98 106 128 
			 Wales 45 44 47 57 
			 West Midlands 60 63 67 79 
			 Yorkshire 29 28 30 32 
			 Total—females 455 511 540 628

Smoking: Public Houses

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the change in revenues of public houses in England since the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: While it is still too early to make any definitive statement about the economic impact of the law which came into operation on 1 July 2007 in England, based on our regulatory impact assessment (RIA) we are not expecting a significant positive or negative impact on the industry.
	The RIA is available in the Library and at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthandsocial caretopics/Tobacco/DH_076227

Social Services: Per Capita Costs

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the spending per head was on social services in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) the South West and  (c) England in each year since 1979.

Ivan Lewis: There would be disproportionate costs incurred to produce this information across the whole time period requested. The following table shows the average per capita social services spending from 2000-01 to 2005-06 for England, the South West and Cornwall.
	
		
			   England total  South West  Cornwall 
			 2000-01 222 182 167 
			 2001-02 236 195 184 
			 2002-03 265 227 209 
			 2003-04 301 265 256 
			 2004-05 329 296 293 
			 2005-06 348 315 305 
			  Notes: 1. The table shows total net cost of social services per head of population, this is the total spend excluding capital charges minus income received from client contributions and other income which includes income from the national health service. 2. In 2003-04 the Supported People Grant was introduced which should be taken into consideration when making comparisons over time. The expenditure information is actual spend and has not been adjusted for inflation.

Teenage Pregnancy

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department is on course to meet the 2010 target for halving the conception rate of under 18s.

Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply.
	2005 under-18 conception rate data—published by the Office for National Statistics in February 2007—showed that since the 1998 baseline year, the under-18 conception rate in England fell by 11.8 per cent., to its lowest level for over 20 years. The under-16 rate fell by 12.1 per cent. over the same period.
	Notwithstanding these achievements, we need to see faster progress in order to achieve the challenging target of halving the under-18 conception rate by 2010. Consequently, we have issued guidance to local authorities and primary care trusts, setting out the key features of local strategies in areas where teenage conception rates have fallen fastest. All areas have been asked to review their strategies against this guidance, with a view to raising all areas' performance to the levels of the best. If all areas had performed as well as the top quartile, the national reduction would be 26 per cent.—more than twice the 11.8 per cent. reduction that has actually been achieved.

Transplant Surgery

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to improve the rate at which human organs become available for transplant.

Ann Keen: The Department launched 'Saving Lives, Valuing Donors: A Transplant Framework for England' in 2003 and the National Service Framework for Renal Services in 2004. These set out the Department's key aims for organ and tissue transplantation over the following 10 years. Government investment in hospital based funding has helped increase donor rates and an organ donor taskforce will report to Ministers in autumn 2007 on how organ donor rates can be further improved. Following the publication of the Chief Medical Officer's annual report in July, the taskforce will also examine the potential impact on organ donation of introducing an opt out or presumed consent scheme.

Warrington Hospital

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) outpatient appointments and  (b) operations there were at Warrington hospital in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is not available in the format requested. The tables show the number of out-patient appointments and the number of finished consultant episodes with an operation at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
	
		
			  Out - patient appointments, North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, all specialties, 2001-02 to 2006-07 
			   First attendances seen  First attendances DNA  Subsequent attendances seen  Subsequent attendances DNA  Total appointments 
			 2002-03 69,574 6,593 188,985 24,112 289,264 
			 2003-04 70,821 7,133 182,208 23,653 283,815 
			 2004-05 70,297 5,452 168,622 21,455 265,826 
			 2005-06 61,264 4,062 154,179 24,128 243,633 
			 2006-07 59,147 3,894 157,285 20,658 240,984 
			  Source:  Department of Health form QMOP and QM08 
		
	
	Count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with an Operation (OPCS-4 codes between A01-X59 or and (operation code not known)) as reported by the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust (RWW). Note that this excludes procedures performed as outpatients.
	
		
			  NHS Hospitals England 
			  Data year  Count of FCEs with an operation 
			 2001-02 40,885 
			 2002-03 39,433 
			 2003-04 38,578 
			 2004-05 31,312 
			 2005-06 30,684 
			  Notes: 1. The NHS Information Centre has investigated with North West Strategic Health Authority and North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust the reason for the reported decrease in the number of FCEs with an operation. The main cause of this decrease is that between 2002-03 and 2004-05 the trust stopped recoding certain procedures as being performed in a day case setting and started recording them as being performed in outpatients. Information is not available centrally on total procedures performed in outpatients. Data reclassification issues are being picked up by the Information Centre and the Audit Commission. From April 2007 onwards the trust will revert to counting this activity as a day case.  2. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE)  An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.  3. Finished Consultant Episode (FCE) with an Operation  A count of FCEs with an operation is the number of episodes with at least one coded procedure field. Please note that more procedures are carried out than finished consultant episodes with an operation. For example, patients under going a cataract operation would tend to have at least two procedures—removal of the faulty lens and the fitting of a new one—counted in a single finished consultant episode.  4. Data Quality  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS Trusts and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. 5. Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Source:  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care.

Wheelchairs

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations he has received from wheelchair users groups in relation to proposed changes to wheelchair provision and other community equipment services;
	(2)  what steps the Government are taking to prepare for future demand for wheelchair provision;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on proposed changes to the provision of wheelchairs and other such equipment for the disabled, currently being considered.

Ivan Lewis: The Prime Minister launched the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Programme in June 2006 to work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop a radical new model for delivery of community equipment and wheelchair services in England, which has users and carers at its heart. The intention was to look at the two services in parallel, but this has not been feasible.
	Two potential models were developed for wheelchair services. However, without robust data it was not possible to make recommendations for the way forward. This is of particular concern in view of the successive reports over the last 20 years which have consistently argued for modernisation and investment in the wheelchair services. A further data gathering exercise was agreed, this will report back to the Ministers in December 2007.
	The programme has engaged with users, carers and organisations that represent them since the beginning. This continues through the user representative group and a user and carer questionnaire.
	We have been working with individual wheelchair users and carers of people who use wheelchairs as well as representatives of:
	Action for Kids;
	Muscular Dystrophy Campaign;
	Multiple Sclerosis Society;
	Spinal Injuries Association;
	Em Power;
	Whiz-Kidz;
	Limbless Association;
	National Forum Wheelchair User Groups; and
	Motor Neurone Disease Association.
	The questionnaire offers users and carers an opportunity to comment on the chairs they currently have and make suggestions for change. It is available on the CSED website at:
	www.csed.csip.org.uk/workstreams/transforming-community-equipment-wheelchair-services/wheelchair-services/wheelchair-services-user-questionnaire.html
	and through the third sector organisations both through their publications and websites. Wheelchair services are also helping reach those users and carers who are unable to access the web.
	The analysis of the questionnaires will continue until the end of November and the results will feed into the development of the business case.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Departments: Aviation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by his Department on  (a) business and  (b) first class flights in the last 12 months.

Edward Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor my right hon. Friend the Member for North-West Durham (Hilary Armstrong) to the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) on 21 June 2007,  O fficial Report, columns 2048-49W. Information relating to Ministers overseas travel for 2006-07 was published on 25 July 2007 and is available in the Libraries of the Houses for the reference of Members.

Departments: Consultants

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the  (a) purpose and (b) cost was of each payment by the Cabinet Office to Opinion Leader Research in 2005-06;
	(2)  what the  (a) amount and  (b) purpose was of each payment made by his Department to Opinion Leader Research in the last 12 months;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 13 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1038W, how much his Department has paid to Opinion Leader Research since 1997.

Edward Miliband: The Cabinet Office made three payments to Opinion Leader Research in 2005-06; for £14,100, £15,098.02 and £32,900.
	These payments were made by the Office of Public Sector Reform for the
	"Provision of services to deliver two Policy Collaborative events to collate views of victims of volume crime and gain an understanding of what victims of volume crime want from the criminal justice system and compare their perceptions of a 'quality service' with existing plans to reform the criminal justice system".
	Since 1997, the Cabinet Office has made 17 payments to Opinion Leader Research at a total value of £194,000. All contracts were awarded following a competitively tendered process. None of these payments were made in the past 12 months.

Departments: Press

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  to which periodicals his Department subscribes;
	(2)  how much was spent by his Department on newspapers and magazines in the last 12 months;
	(3)  what magazines, newspapers and periodicals his Department subscribed to before 27 June; and which one his Department has subscribed to since that date.

Gillian Merron: The information requested is not held centrally and therefore is available only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Redundancy Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by his Department on redundancy payments in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: The Cabinet Office has not had any redundancies in the last 12 months.

Departments: Taxis

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by his Department on taxis in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: This information is only available at disproportionate cost.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code.

Departments: Tribunals

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by his Department on industrial tribunals in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: The Cabinet Office has not incurred any Industrial (Employment) Tribunal costs in the last 12 months.

Departments: Vacancies

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) of 2 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 901-02W, on departments: vacancies, whether the Government Communication Network website previously listed on its public website jobs for Government communicators and other civil servants that were not open to the public.

Edward Miliband: The Government Communication Network website only ever listed jobs which were open to the public on the public part of the website. Vacancies which were only open to Government communicators and other civil servants were listed on the password protected part of the site—which was only open to civil servants. Therefore there has been no change to what job vacancies members of the public can see.

Emergencies: Facilities

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) bowsers and  (b) portaloos the public sector has access to for utilising in a national emergency situation; whether there are plans to increase those numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Miliband: The Public sector does not have access to a specific number of bowsers and portaloos but each water company holds a stock of emergency equipment. Mutual aid arrangements exist between water companies to provide bowsers and other equipment to a water company that is dealing with an emergency. These arrangements can be further augmented, if necessary, with equipment from the public and private sectors. Portaloos and other sanitary equipment can be sourced by a variety of means including local authorities and private contractors when necessary.
	Capability in these areas can be further increased by requesting assistance through established mutual aid arrangements with EU partners.
	The review announced by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 July will consider whether or not the existing arrangements for the provision of such items are adequate and make recommendations for improvement where necessary.

FutureBuilders England

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost was of redesigning the FutureBuilders logo.

Phil Hope: The redesign of the Futurebuilders logo cost £6,500. The redesign was part of a wider strategy by Futurebuilders England to improve brand awareness and understanding of the fund to its key audiences. It was launched by Futurebuilders England on 1 January 2007.

NHS: ICT

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library all papers concerning the seminar at Downing Street in February 2002 to discuss the future of IT in the NHS.

Edward Miliband: It is not normal practice to place copies of the Prime Minister's internal working papers in the Library of the House.

Smith Institute

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what meetings Cabinet Office ministers have held with representatives of the Smith Institute since May 2005.

Edward Miliband: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 22 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1100W.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Constitutional Treaty

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the changes between the EU constitutional treaty and the proposed EU reform treaty are.

Jim Murphy: The constitutional treaty is now defunct. The Inter-Governmental Conference Mandate agreed by the June European Council states that
	"The constitutional concept has been abandoned."
	While all member states have moved away from the constitution, the UK has a specific treaty deal which means we have moved further than anyone else from the constitution.

Constitutional Treaty

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in negotiations in the intergovernmental conference on the proposed EU reform treaty.

Jim Murphy: The legal group producing the draft treaty finished their work on 3 October.
	We believe that the UK red lines will be achieved and we are confident that we can persuade our European partners that this is the right deal for the UK and EU.

Constitutional Treaty

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Government policy is on the conduct of a national referendum on the proposed treaty changing the constitutional arrangements of the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The UK has only ever held one national referendum, which was in 1975. We will seek parliamentary ratification of this Reform Treaty. In doing so we shall adopt a similar approach to that adopted by the Governments of Tony Blair, Sir John Major and Baroness Thatcher.

Portugal: British Citizens

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his Portuguese counterpart to discuss issues relating to British holiday-makers in that country.

Jim Murphy: UK Ministers have regular contacts with Portuguese counterparts to discuss a range of issues.
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers also discuss consular specific cases with Portuguese Ministers when necessary.

Iran

Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Iranian nuclear programme.

David Miliband: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) today (UIN 156131).

Iraq

Andrew MacKay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Iraq.

Kim Howells: Political progress, particularly on national reconciliation, is critical to improving the situation in Iraq. I welcome the agreements reached at the leaders' conference in Baghdad in August and the emphasis Prime Minister Maliki gave to reconciliation in his recent speech at the UN General Assembly. We are urging the Iraqis to maintain positive momentum and ensure practical follow-up.

Tibet

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure journalists have free access to Tibet.

Meg Munn: We welcome the regulations implemented by the Chinese Government on 1 January to relax restrictions on foreign journalists in China. At the last round of the UK-China Human Rights Dialogue, the Chinese Government confirmed the regulations applied in Tibet. We are concerned, however, that like all visitors to Tibet, journalists must still seek permission to enter the region from the local authorities and will continue to raise this with China.

Zimbabwe

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Zimbabwe.

Meg Munn: The situation in Zimbabwe is appalling. That is why my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is clear he will not attend an EU-Africa summit in Europe with President Mugabe. That is also why we are working for change by giving up to £40 million in humanitarian aid a year; maintaining international pressure on the regime; and supporting those working in Zimbabwe for democratic change.

Middle East Peace Process

Nick Palmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Middle East peace process.

Kim Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) today (UIN156128).

Middle East Peace Process

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made in the Middle East peace process.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) today (UIN156128).

UK and US Relations

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration on the UK's special relationship with the US.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has a regular dialogue with his American counterpart. As both my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have said repeatedly, our relationship with the United States will continue to be the single most important bilateral relationship for the United Kingdom. Our discussions with the US Administration take place within this very clear context.

Afghanistan: Drugs

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment the Government have made of heroin and poppy production in areas of Afghanistan  (a) not controlled by the Taliban and  (b) under the control of the Allies;
	(2)  what recent assessment the Government have made of poppy and heroin production from the areas of Afghanistan under the control of the Taliban.

Kim Howells: The Government do not carry out independent assessments of the heroin and poppy production in Afghanistan. Poppy cultivation figures are measured by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The figures do not take into account the control of land on which poppy is cultivated. Nor has there been a study defining locations of heroin laboratories on land inside or outside of government control. But there is a clear link between poppy cultivation and insecurity, shown by the fact that over 75 per cent. cultivation takes place in the least secure southern provinces. In the more secure central and northern regions, cultivation generally appears to be decreasing or stabilising. The number of "poppy free provinces" has increased from six in 2006 to 13 in 2007, demonstrating that where the integrated approach set out in the government of Afghanistan's national drug control strategy can be brought to bear, it is delivering results.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who represented the UK at the conference held in Afghanistan on 29 August 2007 on counternarcotics; whether there will be any change in the ISAF counternarcotic strategy as a result of the conference; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK was represented at the 3rd National Counter Narcotics Conference in Kabul by our ambassador in Afghanistan, Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles.
	The International Security Assistance Force is providing increasing support to the Afghan Counter Narcotics effort. Recently this has included help with this year's pre-planting campaign and support to Afghan law enforcement and interdiction operations.

Afghanistan: Politics and Government

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on associations between members of the Afghanistan parliament and al-Qaeda.

Kim Howells: We have not received any reports and are not aware of any associations between members of the Afghan parliament and al-Qaeda.

Bermuda Housing Corporation

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Metropolitan Police inquiry initiated by John Verveker, Governor of Bermuda, into the leak of Bermuda police documents relating to the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Meg Munn: Two senior officers (one recently retired) from Kent Constabulary visited Bermuda in June 2007, at the request of the Commissioner of Police, to review the conduct of the Bermuda Police Service investigation into the leak of confidential police files. They concluded that the investigation was being managed in a competent and professional manner.

Bermuda Housing Corporation

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will appoint a senior United Kingdom police officer to conduct an inquiry into allegations of impropriety in the conduct of the Bermuda Housing Corporation's affairs.

Meg Munn: These allegations were fully investigated at the time by the appropriate authorities in Bermuda with support from New Scotland Yard.

Bermuda Housing Corporation

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the findings of the fraud squad investigation concluded in August 2004 into the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

Meg Munn: A thorough investigation, assisted by officers from New Scotland Yard, resulted in criminal proceedings leading to a custodial sentence.

Bermuda: Armed Forces

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent inspection of the Royal Bermuda Regiment has been conducted to ensure that deficiencies identified in the report submitted in November 2005 following the inspection conducted by Colonel Baxter have been remedied and his recommendations implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Colonel Fairclough, Assistant Military Attache at our embassy in Washington, assessed the Bermuda Regiment's capability in November 2006. Good progress has been made on implementing recommendations from Colonel Baxter with regard to training and in particular on improved training for junior commanders. In terms of equipment replacement—namely vehicles, communications, weapons and boats—bids for funding have been submitted to the Bermuda government and are to be addressed over a five-year period.

Bermuda: Police

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response the Governor of Bermuda has made to the request of Senator Burch, Minister of Public Safety, on 14 August 2007 that he help address Bermuda's policing difficulties; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Under the Bermuda Constitution, the Governor has overall responsibility for the police. He has made it clear on several occasions that there will be no change in this. The Governor discusses policing issues on a regular basis with both the Premier and the Minister of Public Safety.

Bermuda: Territorial Waters

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial contribution has been made by the Government towards the cost of law enforcement and national security in and around the territorial waters of Bermuda; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The security of the UK Overseas Territories is the responsibility of the Government. Consequently, Bermuda benefits from assistance provided by Regional Law Enforcement and Maritime Training Advisers funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Bermuda is also visited on a regular basis by Royal Navy ships. The Government of Bermuda, however, meets the cost of its own law enforcement, including within its territorial waters.

British Council: Information Officers

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many press officers are employed by the British Council.

Jim Murphy: The British Council has two press officers working in London. In addition there are two members of staff who spend half their time on press office work.
	In most of the 110 countries where the British Council operates, there is a member of staff who has responsibility for press office work although, particularly in smaller operations, this only forms part of their duties.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on which dates over the past three years governors of overseas territories who were retiring from the Diplomatic Service have despatched valedictory e-grams or telegrams; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Governors of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Falkland Islands have retired from the Diplomatic Service in the past three years. Their valedictory e-grams were despatched on 26 October 2005, 7 April 2006 and 15 August 2006.

British Overseas Territories

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the GDP per head of population is in  (a) pounds sterling and  (b) US dollars of each of the UK overseas territories, listed in descending order of population size.

Meg Munn: Gross domestic product (GDP) per head calculations rely on information about economic activity (GDP) and population. All GDP calculations are made by the overseas territories (OTs), who employ either specialised statisticians or analysts. The accuracy of GDP depends on the analytical input that such small offices are able to devote to calculating it. Population data are based on a census, which is usually carried out every few years, as in the United Kingdom. Population estimates have to be made for intermediate years.
	Therefore GDP per capita figures will vary in accuracy, and it is not unusual for estimates to be revised after they have been published. The varying populations of the OTs compound this—a small change in population can have a bigger effect on GDP per capita.
	The following table lists the OTs best estimates of GDP per capita for 2005 (or 2004 in the case of the Falkland Islands).
	
		
			   Population  GDP per head ( sterling)  GDP per head ($US) 
			 Bermuda 63,571 42,636 76,403 
			 Cayman Islands 48,353 27,179 48,704 
			 Turks and Caicos Islands 30,602 8,752 15,683 
			 Gibraltar 28,779 20,511 36,756 
			 British Virgin Islands 27,000 21,205 38,000 
			 Anguilla 13,638 5,419 9,711 
			 Montserrat 4,785 4,295 7,696 
			 St. Helena 4,100 3,137 5,622 
			 Falkland Islands 2,955 25,350 46,124 
			 Pitcairn Islands 45 1,889 3,385 
		
	
	These figures are based on £/$US exchange rate at 1 July in the relevant year. The St. Helena figure does not include the dependencies of Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha, for which data are not available.
	The other OTs—British Indian Ocean Territory, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Sovereign Base areas on Cyprus, and the British Antarctic Territory—have no settled populations.

Burma

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the UN Secretary-General regarding Burma.

Meg Munn: We have kept in regular contact with the UN Secretary-General and his staff during the recent events in Burma. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister wrote to the UN Secretary-General on 25 September and spoke to him on 26 September. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Burma with the UN Secretary-General on 28 September.

Burma: Armed Forces

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate the UK Government have made of the number of forcibly conscripted child soldiers in the Burma Army; and what reports he has received on the conditions in which they are held;
	(2)  what steps he has taken to raise the issue of the forced conscription of child soldiers with the Burmese regime.

Meg Munn: We receive regular reports about forced recruitment and the use and ill treatment of child soldiers in Burma. We are unable to estimate the number of forcibly recruited soldiers.
	On 2 October, the Human Rights Council (HRC) passed a resolution sponsored by the EU, with the strong support of the UK, which expressed deep concern about the situation in Burma. In our statement to the HRC, we drew attention to the regime's persistent violations of human rights, including the use of child soldiers.
	We have repeatedly raised the issue with the Burmese regime. My right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), the then Minister for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, raised our concerns with the Burmese Foreign Minister in Hamburg on 28 May.
	Our ambassador in Rangoon takes every opportunity to raise human rights with the regime, most recently when he met the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister and the Burmese Minister for Labour on 25 September.

Burma: Armed Forces

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict following his visit to Burma.

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no discussions with the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms Coomaraswamy, following her visit to Burma. However, Ms Coomaraswamy did meet our ambassador in Rangoon during her visit.

Burma: Defence Equipment

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the sale of military helicopters to Burma by India containing parts manufactured or designed by  (a) EU and  (b) UK companies.

Meg Munn: We are aware of the report published by non-governmental organisations saying that the Indian Government is planning to transfer advanced light helicopters to Burma.
	On 27 July, the EU Troika in New Delhi delivered a demarche on the Indian Government about the reported transfer of the helicopters to Burma. They reminded the Indian Government of the long-standing common position on Burma, which includes an arms embargo, and the EU's deep concern about the situation there. The Indian Government reiterated that no such deal was under consideration.

Burma: Politics and Government

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the National Convention and constitution drafting process in Burma.

Meg Munn: We have repeatedly called on the regime to make progress towards genuine national reconciliation by involving all political and ethnic groups in the National Convention process. Many of these groups did not participate in the National Convention and have not been consulted on the constitutional drafting process. We therefore believe the process lacks all credibility.

Burma: Religious Freedom

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief on violations of religious freedom against Christians, Muslims and Buddhists in Burma.

Meg Munn: There are severe restrictions on the freedom of all religions in Burma, including towards members of the majority Buddhist faith, particularly if they are perceived as anti-government. We condemn all instances where individuals face persecution or discrimination because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.
	We have had no discussions with the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief about Burma.
	We regularly raise our concerns about human rights in Burma with the regime and in international forums. The UN Secretary-General discussed Burma with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 26 September and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 September.
	On 2 October, the Human Rights Council (HRC) passed a strongly worded resolution sponsored by the EU, with the full support of the UK, which expressed deep concern about the situation in Burma. In our statement to the HRC, we drew attention to the regime's violations, including restrictions on the freedom of religion.

Chad

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with his European counterparts on a European Union military mission to Chad during the meeting of Foreign Ministers in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, 7 to 8 September 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 23 July approved a European Security and Defence Policy mission to Chad as a bridging force until the UN itself is able to deploy a peacekeeping mission there. The UK strongly endorsed this proposed deployment. The meeting of Foreign Ministers in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, on 7 to 8 September, discussed the implementation of this decision.
	On 25 September the UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1778, which authorised the deployment of an EU military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic and approved a UN multi-dimensional mission to operate in co-operation with the EU force. The UK hopes that both the EU mission and the UN multi-dimensional mission will be able to deploy before the end of the year.

Chad: Internally Displaced Persons

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that the EU peacekeeping force in Chad will have a mandate to protect internally displaced people within Chad as well as refugees from Darfur; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: On 25 September the UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1778, which authorises the deployment of a European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) force to Chad and the Central African Republic and approves a UN multi-dimensional mission to operate in co-operation with the ESDP force.
	As stated in UNSCR 1778, the ESDP force's 12 month mandate is to contribute to protecting refugees and displaced persons in eastern Chad, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and contribute to protecting the UN operation. The UN operation is intended to build the capacity of the Chadian police to protect refugees from Darfur and the Central African Republic and internally displaced persons and help create a more secure environment in eastern Chad. The overall aim of the joint operation is to create the conditions necessary for voluntary, secure and sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons.

China: Human Rights

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will urge the Chinese Government to release unconditionally Pastor Hua Huiqi and his mother Ms Shuang Shuying from detention.

Meg Munn: Pastor Hua Huiqi was released in July this year after serving his six-month sentence. We raised the case of Shuang Shuying, through the EU, at the most recent round of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was held in Berlin in May. We continue to monitor her case.

China: Sudan

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work is being undertaken with the People's Republic of China to combat the conflict in Darfur.

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have asked their Chinese counterparts to use their influence in Sudan in support of the UN and AfricanUnion efforts to resolve the Darfur conflict, and to support implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, reinforced this message during his visit to China on 28-29 August when he said that
	"we want China to be a major international player in the world; there is no alternative for the world but to have a responsible China sitting at the global table, helping to solve global issues".
	We are working with Chinese officials on preparations for the peace talks for Darfur planned to start on 27 October and on early recovery efforts in Darfur.

Defence Attache Network

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the UK's relationship with those countries affected by the review of the Defence Attache Network; and what responses he has received from such countries on the review.

Jim Murphy: The Government continue to place a high value on their international defence relations. In announcing the results of the Defence Attaché review, my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary made clear in his written ministerial statement on 17 September 2007,  Official Report, column 125WS our belief that this rebalancing of resources, which involves strengthening our representation in some countries and reducing it in others, including through non-resident accreditation, will ensure a network which is effective and relevant to our international interests. We have not received any formal responses from countries affected by this review.

Departments: Accountancy

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what accounts directions were issued by his Department in financial year  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

Jim Murphy: No accounts directions were issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in these financial years.

Departments: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which private consultancy firms  (a) his Department and  (b) agencies which report to his Department engaged in each of the last three years; which programmes or projects each firm worked on; and what the approximate cost to the Department or agency concerned was of each engagement.

Jim Murphy: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Annual expenditure on external consultants is published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Department's annual reports, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. The two most recent annual reports also contain details of expenditure on the top five consultancy suppliers. The vast majority of work undertaken for the FCO by consultants is associated with its major Information Communication Technology and Estate construction programmes.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashfield (Mr. Hoon), the then Minister for Europe gave to the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 24 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1474W and the reply my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South (Margaret Beckett), the then Foreign Secretary gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 16 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 893-94W.

Diplomatic Relations: Members

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) hon. Members and  (b) peers have been appointed special envoys to other nations since 1997.

Kim Howells: Special representatives are appointed to show commitment and to drive progress on particular issues, or to gain access which would not otherwise be forthcoming. No central record of such appointments since 1997 is held. However, I understand that five right hon. and hon. Members and four Peers have been appointed as either special representatives or special envoys to other nations since 1997.

Entry Clearances

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa application processing centres have been outsourced; and what proportion of such applications are dealt with by such centres.

Kim Howells: As at the end of September 2007, there were 85 outsourced Visa Application Centres. In September 2007, 57 per cent. of global UK visa applications were received and processed in Visa Application Centres.

EU Reform: Armed Forces

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the likely impact of the EU Reform Treaty on UK military operations.

Jim Murphy: The current arrangements for UK military operations will not be affected by the EU Reform Treaty. The Treaty maintains the inter-governmental nature of the European Security and Defence Policy. It will not affect the UK's ability to undertake military operations, whether national or in a multilateral framework. The UK will continue to make forces available for EU-led operations on a voluntary and case-by-case basis. The launch of any EU operation requires unanimity among member states, therefore UK consent and any decision to deploy UK troops for an EU-led operation rests with the Government.

EU Reform: Climate Change

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of how changes to qualified majority voting in the European reform treaty would affect the ability of the UK and the EU to promote the environment and fight climate change.

Jim Murphy: Energy policy will move to qualified majority voting (QMV) in the reform treaty, making it easier to liberalise energy markets and improve energy security. More open markets will promote energy efficiency and allow consumers greater choice—which should reward green technologies.
	This will make it easier to achieve targets agreed at the spring European Council.
	Energy is an example of where the reform treaty moves to QMV can unlock decision-making in Britain's interests.

EU Reform: Treaties

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government will seek any modifications to the revised European Constitution.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 10 September 2007,  Official Report, column 2006W.

EU Reform: Treaties

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in how many policy areas vetoes will be given up by the UK if the constitutional treaty comes into force; and what those areas are.

Jim Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) on 26 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 1468-69W.

European Union: UK Delegation

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the office of the UK Permanent Representative to the EU, Strasbourg and UK Delegation to the Council of Europe Strasbourg do not share offices; and what the  (a) cost of each office,  (b) numbers of staff in each office and  (c) floor space of each office was in the latest period for which figures are available.

Jim Murphy: The UK Permanent Representation to the EU does not have an office in Strasbourg. The office space used by UK officials is owned by the European Parliament and this is made available to the UK at no cost.
	The UK Delegation to the Council of Europe occupies a building of 327 square metres in a residential area of Strasbourg. The office staff consists of five UK based staff and three locally recruited full-time staff plus one part time. The rental of the office in financial year (FY) 2006-07 was £31,181. The office running costs (utilities, rates, repairs and refurbishments) were £33,199 in FY 2006-07.

Iraq: Casualties

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqi  (a) child and  (b) adult civilian casualties there have been since March 2003.

Kim Howells: The Government do not collate figures for civilian casualties in Iraq. The Government of Iraq is best placed to monitor the numbers of Iraqi civilian casualties, but we continue to believe that there are no comprehensive or reliable figures for deaths since March 2003 as estimates vary according to the method of collection.

Iraq: Oil

Michael Jabez Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the UK Government have made to the Iraqi government on the proposed Iraqi oil law; what advice has been given in relation to the partners with whom the Iraqi government should deal and the terms on which it should do so; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have encouraged the Iraqi government to consider a full range of options in formulating the hydrocarbons law and to consult widely. We have made no representations on specific structures or production contracts nor have we provided advice on whom the Iraqi government should deal with.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether  (a) coalition forces and  (b) the international community are to be involved in the investigation by the Iraqi authorities into neglect and abuse of children in Iraqi orphanages and other institutions; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Government are aware of US military reports in June that they discovered a number of abused and neglected children at an Iraqi orphanage in Baghdad. In response to these reports, the Iraqi Prime Minister announced an Iraqi Government investigation into the conditions at the orphanage. The UK has had no direct involvement in this investigation, nor are we aware of direct coalition or wider international involvement.
	The UK is committed to supporting the Government of Iraq in its efforts to strengthen respect for human rights, with a particular focus on protecting the rights of the most vulnerable groups in society. In a country emerging from over three decades of dictatorship and which currently faces continued violence, this process will take time. We are working with the Government of Iraq and international partners to develop the infrastructure essential for promoting and protecting human rights, including a legislative framework and oversight bodies as well as the judiciary, courts, and independent civil society organisations. This will help ensure that the human rights of all Iraqis, including vulnerable groups such as women, children and minorities, are protected in the future.

Irian Jaya

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to facilitate dialogue between the Indonesian government and representatives of the West Papuan Freedom Movement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the prison conditions of West Papua independence campaigners, with particular reference to  (a) Filep Karma and  (b) Yusak Pakage;
	(3)  what recent assessment he has made of the situation in West Papua;
	(4)  what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia on the humanitarian situation in West Papua;
	(5)  what recent discussions he has had with the British Embassy in Jakarta on the situation in West Papua;
	(6)  what discussions he has had with the UN Special Representative, Hina Jilani, following her recent visit to West Papua; and what recent reports he has received from the UK Mission to the UN following the visit;
	(7)  what assessment he has made of the situation for environmental activists in West Papua.

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made representations about Papua to the Government of Indonesia.
	Our embassy in Jakarta regularly discusses Papua with the Indonesian authorities and pushes for greater EU engagement on human rights issues including those related to Papua. The human rights situation in Indonesia has improved considerably in recent years and we assess that President Yudhoyono is sincere in his attempts to push through reforms, including in the security sector. The current peace process in Aceh is an indication of his willingness to be flexible in trying to address some of the long-running conflicts in Indonesia, and success here will make it easier for him to address the Papuan question effectively.
	We believe that the best way to resolve the complex issues in Papua is through promoting peaceful dialogue between Papuan groups and the Indonesian government. We are in contact with Papuan activist groups in the UK and encourage dialogue between them and the Government of Indonesia.
	We are not aware of any specific issues concerning environmental activists in Papua.
	Officials from our embassy in Jakarta have raised the cases of Filip Karma and Yusak Pakage with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their defence lawyer told embassy officials that prison conditions were adequate and the two men were treated reasonably.
	We have urged the Government of Indonesia to uphold the rights guaranteed through the International Conventions on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ratified by Indonesia in September 2005.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is aware of the visit to Indonesia by UN Special Representative, Hina Jilani, but has had no direct discussion with her on the issue of Papua. Ms Jilani has received no reports from the UK Mission to the UN following her visit.
	The UK, with our EU partners, is working towards greater engagement with the Indonesian government in support of human rights defenders. The EU presidency is in the process of discussing the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hopes to work with them on this important issue in the near future.

North Korea: Political Prisoners

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with his North Korean counterpart on prisoners being held in prison camps for their  (a) political and  (b) religious beliefs.

Meg Munn: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials raise human rights issues—including arbitrary detention of prisoners for political and/or religious reasons—with members of the North Korean government at every reasonable opportunity. We do so through our embassy in Pyongyang and through contact with the North Korean embassy in London, as well as through the EU and UN.
	We and EU partners have also been instrumental in creating—and retaining—the position of UN Special Rapporteur on Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) human rights, and have sponsored a number of UN resolutions calling on the North Korean government to honour its UN commitments on human rights. The UN has also lobbied the government on specific individuals' cases.
	The Government will continue to press the North Korean authorities on human rights abuses at every opportunity, urging them in particular to cooperate with UN mechanisms and to allow international monitors access to the country to verify or disprove reports of human rights abuses. It is deeply frustrating that the DPRK government has not responded to these requests.

Northern Cyprus

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official visits by members of the British High Commission in Cyprus to northern Cyprus were made in each of the last three years; and what reports were received by the Department in London following each such visit.

Jim Murphy: It would incur disproportionate cost to collate the information requested by my hon. Friend on the number of official visits from staff at our High Commission in Nicosia to northern Cyprus. However, the High Commission's operation in Cyprus covers the whole territory of the Republic of Cyprus, providing services and engaging with Cypriots on both sides of the Green Line on a daily basis. Reports of their discussions are reported to the Department as necessary.

Northern Cyprus: Churches

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a senior official from the British high commission in Cyprus last visited the Greek Cypriot churches and cemeteries in the villages of Patriki and Ayios Theodoros in the Karpas Peninsula; what reports were made and to whom after the last such visit; if he will make it his policy for such a visit to be conducted on a regular basis and reports published; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Our high commissioner in Nicosia last visited the Greek Cypriot community in the Karpas region on 22 June and reported to the Department. This included visiting the church in Ayios Theodoros and was part of a regular pattern of visits which supplement the UN's humanitarian and monitoring activity. Since the opening of the Green Line in April 2003, Greek Cypriots resident in the south have also been able to travel to the area.

Northern Cyprus: Churches

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what responsibilities the British Government have as one of the guarantor powers for Cyprus to seek to ensure the preservation of churches and cemeteries that belong to the Greek Cypriot community in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The Treaty of Guarantee only relates to the independence, territorial integrity and security of the Republic of Cyprus. However, we do call on the Turkish Cypriots to show sensitivity to Greek Cypriot churches and cemeteries in the north of Cyprus. Our high commissioner in Nicosia visited the Karpas region on 22 June and raised such issues with his Turkish Cypriot interlocutors.

Northern Cyprus: Property

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the advice given to British citizens seeking to purchase a property in northern Cyprus; what steps the Government have taken to promulgate that advice; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Through Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice, the Government offers comprehensive guidance on the risks involved in purchasing property in northern Cyprus. This advice is regularly updated to reflect developments. We also provide advice over the phone to members of the public calling both the FCO and our High Commission in Nicosia.
	We believe that the difficult and complex issue of property is only likely to be fully resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement and we urge both sides to engage constructively with the United Nations to enable settlement negotiations to start as soon as possible. In our contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, we recognise the Turkish Cypriots' need for economic development in support of reunification. But we urge them to ensure that any property development which does take place does so in a manner that is both environmentally sustainable and does not complicate an eventual solution.

Northern Cyprus: Property

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of properties  (a) built and  (b) under construction by property developers in northern Cyprus in each of the last five years which are available for purchase.

Jim Murphy: The Government have not estimated the number of properties which have been built or which are under construction in northern Cyprus. However, significant property development in northern Cyprus has taken place over the last five years resulting in large numbers of new properties being built. We believe that the difficult and complex issue of property is only likely to be fully resolved in the context of a comprehensive settlement and we urge both sides to engage constructively with the United Nations to enable settlement negotiations to start as soon as possible. In our contacts with the Turkish Cypriot leadership, we recognise the Turkish Cypriots' need for economic development in support of reunification. But we urge them to ensure that any property development which does take place does so in a manner that is both environmentally sustainable and does not complicate an eventual solution.

Occupied Territories: Peace Negotiations

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effectiveness of the Mecca agreement as a basis for peace between Israel and the Palestinians following the break down of the Palestinian Unity Government.

Kim Howells: The Mecca agreement of 9 February 2007, was drawn up by Palestinian parties to end their political deadlock. The outcomes of the agreement were:
	cessation of intra-Palestinian violence;
	formation of a National Unity government;
	reformation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation; and
	the need for political co-operation within the laws of the Palestinian National Authority.
	The agreement was focused on intra-Palestinian relations and as such has no direct impact on Israeli-Palestinians relations. However, we welcome any progress towards a negotiated, lasting solution.

Pakistan: Taliban

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is holding with the Pakistan Government to co-ordinate border control between Pakistan and Afghanistan to stop Taliban activists entering Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: Afghanistan-Pakistan border security issues feature prominently in our dialogue with the Government of Pakistan at both ministerial and official levels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last raised the subject with Pakistan Foreign Minister Kasuri in Islamabad on 26 July.

Russia: CFE Treaty

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the reasons for Russia's suspension of its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 8 October 2007
	With North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Allies, we have noted Russia's statement of its intention to suspend its obligations under the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE treaty) from 12 December. We would regret any threat to the CFE regime from such unilateral action. We believe the concerns expressed by Russia would be addressed by entry into force of the adapted CFE treaty. We are pursuing constructive proposals for parallel action by Allies and Russia to overcome the outstanding issues related to ratification of that adapted treaty.

Sri Lanka

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet  (a) the President and  (b) the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no current plans to meet the President or Prime Minster of Sri Lanka. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister may have an opportunity to meet President Rajapakse or Prime Minister Wickramanayake at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda in November.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government regarding human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

Kim Howells: We raise human rights issues regularly in our contact with the Government of Sri Lanka. Most recently, my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, expressed our concern on 27 September during a bilateral meeting with the Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama, in the margins of the UN General Assembly.
	The situation in Sri Lanka was also highlighted by the UK and the EU at the 6(th) Human Rights Council in September. We look forward to the report of the visit to Sri Lanka by Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which is due to take place later this month.

Sudan: Asylum

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of Ethiopian and Eritrean asylum seekers and refugees at risk of being forcibly returned to their country of origin from Sudan following their detention in Khartoum in July.

Meg Munn: Amnesty International (AI) reported on 20 July the arrest and risk of forcible return of Ethiopian and Eritrean asylum seekers in Sudan. According to AI, many of those detained could be asylum seekers or recognised refugees.
	The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been seeking access to, and intervene on the behalf of, refugees who have been detained by the Sudanese authorities. Some of these refugees were handed over to the Commissioner for Refugees in August, but 25 Ethiopians and Eritreans were reportedly sentenced to deportation and removed before UNHCR had a chance to appeal.

Sudan: Asylum

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the treatment of refugees in Sudan, in particular those from Eritrea.

Meg Munn: According to reports from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), refugees arriving in Sudan undergo a refugee status determination process at one of the recognised refugee camps near Kassala in the border area with Eritrea. Refugees should remain in the camps and are not normally granted the right to travel from a designated area.
	Sudanese law enforcement bodies carry out periodic round-ups of migrant workers whom they deport, although some of them have recognised refugee status. UNHCR has a legal team to attend cases where recognised refugees have been arrested.
	Some of these refugees were handed over to the Commissioner for Refugees in August, but 25 Ethiopians and Eritreans were reportedly sentenced to deportation and removed before UNHCR had a chance to appeal.

Sudan: Asylum

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Sudan about  (a) the treatment of refugees and  (b) abiding by UNHCR protocols and commitments.

Meg Munn: Ministers have not discussed the treatment of refugees with the government of Sudan.
	However, officials from our embassy in Khartoum have raised the status of refugees in Sudan with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to whom we give strong support. As a result of UNHCR's lobbying, the government of Sudan has set up a committee to revise domestic legislation on asylum. We continue to monitor the progress of asylum law reform through UNHCR.

Sudan: Asylum

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received that the government of Sudan has in the past month begun to move to return Eritrean refugees.

Meg Munn: The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sudan reported in August that Ethiopians and Eritreans were arrested and detained in Khartoum and various towns in eastern Sudan and threatened with expulsion.
	As a result of legal assistance from UNHCR, several individuals were handed over to UNHCR to determine their refugee status. But 25 Eritreans and Ethiopians were sentenced to deportation, which was carried out before UNHCR could intervene.
	The UK supports UNHCR to ensure refugees are afforded protection and treated equitably in their countries of refuge according to international human rights law.

Sudan: Overseas Aid

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial and other support he is making available to resolve the problems in Darfur.

Meg Munn: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made resolution of the Darfur conflict a priority for the Government. In his joint initiative with French President Sarkozy, he offered further development assistance dependent on progress on security, cessation of hostilities, political process and humanitarian access.
	Meanwhile, the UK is helping diplomatically, politically and financially.
	The UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution 1769, which mandates the African Union (AU)/UN peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) for Darfur. UNAMID costs will be met through UN assessed contributions. The UK has committed £73 million to support the AU Mission (AMIS) in Darfur since it deployed in July 2004.
	To support the political process, the UK has committed £2 million of funding since July 2006 to the AMIS Information Advisory Team which will support communication activities for the peace talks. We will also provide financial and technical support to the AU-UN Joint Mediation Support Team who are leading the peace process.
	The UK, through the Department for International Development (DFID), is working with UN, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other partners to resource community-level peace and confidence-building activities to complement the political process. The UK has committed £2.18 million to a UN programme to address livelihoods and environmental challenges—key drivers of the conflict.
	Finally, DFID's programme makes the UK the second largest bilateral donor to Sudan, spending some £145 million in humanitarian funding in Darfur since the start of the crisis in 2003. We also have a bilateral programme with NGOs (£12 million per annum) to provide water, sanitation and health care to some of the four million people in need.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the African Union and UN have taken to ensure that rebel groups in Darfur receive training to develop the skills required to take part in peace process negotiations.

Meg Munn: The African Union-UN Joint Mediation Support Team (JMST) has developed a mediation plan and is appointing mediators who will support rebel groups in negotiations.
	The UK and international partners are supporting the JMST's preparations for negotiations. The UK has given the JMST papers on lessons learned from previous peace talks, including the Comprehensive Peace Agreement security negotiations, and has recommended mediation experts.

Sudan: Politics and Government

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to ensure participation of the people of eastern Sudan in the national executive, legislature, judiciary organs, civil service and other institutions and commissions at both national and state levels in accordance with Chapter 1 of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement; and what progress has been made in this regard.

Meg Munn: The government of Sudan has appointed Eastern Front (EF) representatives to posts including an assistant to the President, a presidential adviser and a Minister of State. The EF's candidates took up their positions in August. In June 2006, eight government members of the National Parliament resigned to make way for the EF Members of Parliament. EF representatives have also been appointed to state level governments both in the east and in Khartoum state.
	The Civil Service Commission called for by the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was only formed in August this year. The EF have not yet provided nominations to this and other CPA Commissions.
	Our embassy in Khartoum discussed implementation of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) with assistant to the President ,Musa Muhammad Ahmad of the EF, on 1 October. They made clear our support for the ESPA and the need to see both sides fully to implement its provisions, including those on power-sharing.

Sudan: Politics and Government

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the implementation of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement has ensured transparency in appropriate sharing of financial resources across all states through the fiscal and financial allocation and monitoring commission.

Meg Munn: The Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement does not include any provisions on wealth sharing between Khartoum and the eastern states, although it has established a Reconstruction and Development Fund for Eastern Sudan.
	Fiscal relations between the federal and state governments in Sudan are covered in the Wealth Sharing Protocol of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The UK monitors the implementation of the Protocol, and the activities of the Fiscal and Financial Allocation and Monitoring Commission (FFAMC) set up to carry this out, through its participation in the Wealth Sharing Group of the CPA Assessment and Evaluation Commission.
	The FFAMC proposed a revised formula for the allocation of revenue which was adopted for the 2007 federal budget. This new formula should result in the more equitable allocation of resources, although evidence to date shows that there are still some discrepancies between budgeted and actual transfers.
	The UK continues to monitor the new arrangements for wealth sharing and to work with others, including the World Bank, to bring about fiscal reform across Sudan.

Ukraine: Entry Clearances

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what rationale supported the decision to require applications from Ukraine for settlement in the UK to be submitted by appointment only.

Kim Howells: The visa section in Kiev took the decision to introduce an appointment system for settlement visa applications in order to manage more effectively the number of applications received per day.
	The number of settlement visa appointments has been set at seven per day from 1 October. This will improve customer service by providing pre-arranged appointment times for applicants who will no longer be subject to unpredictable waiting times at the visa section.

Ukraine: Entry Clearances

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what minimum notice period may be given of appointments to submit applications for settlement in the UK from Ukraine.

Kim Howells: There is currently a minimum six-day notice period for appointments to submit an application for settlement in the UK from Ukraine.

Ukraine: Entry Clearances

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration is given to the distances that have to be travelled to attend appointments, when giving notice of appointments to submit applications for settlement in the UK from Ukraine.

Kim Howells: If an applicant for a settlement visa to the UK from the Ukraine is unable to attend their appointment due to the distance they need to travel they are able to book a new appointment. This will not affect the outcome of their visa application.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund: Grants

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what investigations took place into the activities of the  (a) Friends of the Western Buddhist Order,  (b) the New Kadempa Tradition and  (c) Soka Gakkai International before the Department took the final decision to grant funds to each organisation from the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department considered information received from the Information Network Focus on religious movements who provide objective information to Government relating to minority religious groups before agreeing that the funding could be released.

Audit Commission: Teammate International Forum

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) cost and  (b) purpose was of the Audit Commission attending the Teammate International Forum in Tampa, Florida in November 2006.

Iain Wright: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and 1 will ask the Chief Executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member directly.
	 Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 4 October 2007:
	I am writing in response to your parliamentary question asking what the (a) cost and (b) purpose was of the Audit Commission attending the Teammate International Forum in Tampa, Florida.
	The Audit Commission sent two delegates to the TeamMate International Forum at a total cost of £1,912.
	TeamMate is the Commission's electronic working paper software and is fundamental to our core business. It is a proprietary product marketed around the globe by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The Commission is the single largest user of this application worldwide. Every two years PwC organises an international users' conference.
	The principal purpose of our attendance at the conference was to maintain up-to-date knowledge of how the product is being used elsewhere and planned future developments of the software. The secondary purpose was to network with other users to learn from them and ensure we keep our audit tools as efficient as possible. Attendance at the event also gives us an opportunity to influence the future development of the product to meet our developing business needs.
	A copy of this letter will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

Buildings: Energy

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued on whether the forthcoming requirement for buildings over 1,000 square metres to display an energy certificate and advisory report applies to  (a) churches and places of worship,  (b) train stations,  (c) venues licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 for the sale of alcohol and  (d) care homes; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Display Energy Certificate requirement will apply to buildings over 1,000 sq m that are occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons. We are continuing to work with key stakeholders and will publish further guidance in due course.

Buildings: Standards

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the merits of changing the building regulations to require all new build homes to be built to lifetime home standards;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the merits of requiring 10 per cent. of all new build housing to be wheelchair accessible throughout.

Iain Wright: The costs and benefits of lifetime homes, which include wheelchair accessibility, are set out in the Department's consultation document "The future of the Code for Sustainable Homes—making a rating mandatory" published on 23 July 2007 with a closing date for comment of 23 October 2007. The document proposes making lifetime homes standards mandatory within the code at progressively lower levels of the code over time.
	There is currently no proposal to change the building regulations to require all new build homes to be built to lifetime home standards. However, the Government have stated, in its response to Kate Barker's report on Housing Supply, that
	"It is very important that there is progress on increasing take up of the lifetime homes standard. The Government will monitor take up and review the future need for regulation if appropriate."

Casinos: Planning Permission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning appeals relating to casinos or with a casino element have been considered by  (a) the Planning Inspectorate and  (b) the First Secretary of State since November 2005.

Iain Wright: The Secretary of State has not decided any planning applications that have included a casino element since November 2005. In the same period, the Planning Inspectorate have decided eight appeals for developments with a casino element, of which five have been allowed and three dismissed. Details of these can be found in the following tables.
	
		
			  Appeals involving casinos decided since 1 November 2005 by The Planning Inspectorate 
			  Decision  Number 
			 Allowed 5 
			 Dismissed 3 
			 Total 8 
			  Note: Data as at 3 October 2007. Ref: 294-07-08  Source:  PINS SIU Data Mart 
		
	
	
		
			  Appeal Ref No .  Local  p lanning  a uthority  Type of appeal  Date of appeal decision  Decision outcome  Description of the development  Site  a ddress 
			  PINS   
			 1197569 Guildford Planning appeal 12 July 2006 Allowed use as a casino complex incorporating a1,a2,a3,a4 and d2 uses. use as a leisure complex including a1,a2,a3,a4,a5 & d2 uses The Drink & Bar Mambo &, Nos 1-5 The Quadrant, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4SQ 
			 2007910 Sandwell Planning appeal 14 July 2006 Allowed change of use from a3 to d2 (public house to casino) and two storey extension , car parking including carports to rear. "The Barleycorn" public house, Bearwood Road/Dawson Street, Warley, West Midlands, B66 4ES 
			 2019042 Guildford Listed Building/ Conservation Area Consent appeal 21 May 2007 Dismissed Conservation area consent for the demolition of all existing buildings, to facilitate redevelopment comprising a new 8 storey building fronting Onslow Street/Bridge Street to provide a leisure and entertainment complex to accommodate a casino and associated uses, attached at first floor and above to a 7 storey building to the West comprising a 136 bedroom hotel with 10 suites and including conference facilities, 5 retail units, bar and restaurant, spa and gym, continuation of the casino at first floor, reducing 3 storeys in Bedford Road adjacent to the River Wey footbridge and 4 stories Southwards adjacent to the River Wey towards the Onslow Bridge. The Drink, Bar Mambo, 1-5 The Quadrant Inc. Car Park & Clark Gammon Auctioneers, 2-5 Bedford Rd, Guildford, GU1 4SJ 
			 2019043 Guildford Planning appeal 21 May 2007 Dismissed Conservation area consent for the demolition of all existing buildings, to facilitate redevelopment comprising a new 8 storey building fronting Onslow Street/Bridge Street to provide a leisure and entertainment complex to accommodate a casino and associated uses, attached at first floor and above to a 7 storey building to the West comprising a 136 bedroom hotel with 10 suites and including conference facilities, 5 retail units, bar and restaurant, spa and gym, continuation of the casino at first floor, reducing 3 storeys in Bedford Road adjacent to the River Wey footbridge and 4 stories Southwards adjacent to the River Wey towards the Onslow Bridge. The Drink, Bar Mambo, 1-5 The Quadrant Inc. Car Park & Clark Gammon Auctioneers, 2-5 Bedford Rd, Guildford, GU1 4SJ 
			 2023570 Blackpool Planning appeal 15 May 2007 Allowed change of use to casino Palatine Buildings, Promenade, Blackpool , Lancashire , FY1 4TQ 
			 2023572 Blackpool Planning appeal 15 May 2007 Allowed change of use to casino Palatine Buildings, Promenade, Blackpool , Lancashire , FY1 4TQ 
			 2030693 City of Westminster Planning appeal 27 February 2007 Dismissed use from restaurant (class a3) on the ground floor (includes 91-92) to casino (sui generis) 91 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6JB 
			 2041173 Bournemouth Listed Building/ Conservation Area Consent appeal 23 July 2007 Allowed new external signage to replace existing. Stanley Bournemouth Casino, 9 Yelverton Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1DA

Casinos: Planning Permission

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether concerns over problem gambling may be considered as a material factor when assessing a planning application for a casino.

Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Housing and Planning (Yvette Cooper) on 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 268W.

Community Development

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what individuals and organisations have been invited to discussions and meetings with her Department on community integration and cohesion issues in the last 12 months.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government (CLG) is responsible for coordinating and delivering work to build community integration and cohesion in local areas. We do this by meeting with and consulting a wide range of stakeholders both within Whitehall, and the regions.
	We also meet routinely with local authorities, LGA and the IDEA, to discuss the important work of building community cohesion and promoting integration.
	In order to ensure we deliver real life policy, CLG also meets and consults with a wide range of grass roots individuals and organisation involved in delivering cohesion at the sharp end.
	The Commission on Integration and Cohesion, which ran from August 2006 to June 2007, was supported by a small CLG secretariat, which undertook research on their behalf, and co-ordinated an outreach programme that meant they engaged with over 2000 people through round tables, regional visits, and user forums.
	A comprehensive list of all individuals and organisations met could only be produced at disproportionate cost, but to inform its approach to developing and promoting integration and community cohesion, CLG has met:
	Groundwork UK
	HACT
	CLG's Neighbourhood Renewal Advisors
	National Community Forum (NCF)
	Race Equality Action Group (REAG)
	Community Security Trust
	Board of Deputies of British Jews
	Chief Rabbi's Office
	Jewish Leadership Council
	Skillsforce
	Institute of Community Cohesion (ICOCO)
	Muslim Safety Forum
	MCHC Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
	The Participation Works
	Representatives of the South Asian Development Partnership.
	ACPO National Community Tensions Team
	Citizenship Foundation
	Serious Organised Crime Agency
	LB Barking and Dagenham
	Welsh Assembly
	Parliamentary Committee Against Anti-Semitism
	Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
	Officials in CLG have on occasion also met with representatives from overseas seeking to exchange good practice on integration and cohesion.

Departments: Berkeley Group

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 23 July 2007,  Official Report, column 735W, on Departments: Berkeley Group, whether the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) met with  (a) directors, representatives or lawyers acting for and  (b) employees of (i) Berkeley Group Holdings plc, (ii) St George plc, (iii) Berkeley Homes plc, (iv) St James Group Ltd, (v) Berkeley First Ltd, (vi) Berkeley Commercial Development Ltd and (vii) Berkeley Strategic Land Ltd in a Ministerial capacity in the last three years; and whether any officials in her Department attended such meetings.

Iain Wright: Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and advice. As a general point of principle, information relating to such meetings is not normally disclosed.

Departments: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which private consultancy firms  (a) her Department and  (b) agencies which report to her Department engaged in each of the last three years; which programmes or projects each firm worked on; and what the approximate cost to the Department or agency concerned was of each engagement.

Iain Wright: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 14 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1170W, which lists those 10 Communities Programmes which accounted for the most consultancy spend.

Departments: Private Finance Initiatives

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list the signed local authority private finance initiative projects for which her Department is responsible.

Iain Wright: Details of all signed PFI projects are recorded on HM Treasury's website which is maintained through returns provided by each Government Department on a twice yearly basis during budget reporting periods.
	A list of signed local authority private finance initiative projects which are sponsored by Communities and Local Government is available from HM Treasury's website on the following link:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/documents/public_private_ partnerships/ppp_pfi_stats.cfm

Departments: Public Bodies

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list her Department's  (a) executive agencies,  (b) executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs),  (c) advisory NDPBs,  (d) tribunal NDPBs,  (e) trading funds and  (f) public corporations for each financial year since 2005-06.

Iain Wright: The Department for Communities and Local Government was established on 5 May 2006. The information requested can be found in Note 33 of the Departments resource accounts 2006-07 at the following web link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/archived/publications/corporate/resourceaccounts06-07

Fire Services

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the location is of each fire local control room in England, broken down by region; and how many people are employed at each.

Parmjit Dhanda: The following table gives the location of the current fire service control rooms by region and the number of staff employed in the control rooms as at 2006-07.
	
		
			  Region  FRS  Location  Number o f control room staff as at 2006- 07 
			 East of England Bedfordshire Kempston 30 
			  Cambridgeshire Huntingdon 23 
			  Essex Brentwood 49 
			  Hertfordshire Stevenage 26 
			  Norfolk Hathersett 30 
			  Suffolk Ipswich 25 
			 Regional total   183 
			 
			 East Midlands Derbyshire Derby 26 
			  Leicestershire Glenfield 31 
			  Lincolnshire Lincoln 23 
			  Northamptonshire Moulton 23 
			  Nottinghamshire Arnold, Nottingham 26 
			 Regional total   129 
			 
			 London London Greenwich View Place 114 
			 
			 North East County of Durham and Darlington Durham 26 
			  Northumberland Morpeth 23 
			  Cleveland Hartlepool 27 
			  Tyne and Wear Newcastle 37 
			 Regional total   113 
			 
			 North-west Cheshire Winsford 25 
			  Cumbria Cockermouth 18 
			  Greater Manchester Swinton 45 
			  Lancashire Preston 67 
			  Merseyside Liverpool 55 
			 Regional total   210 
			 
			 South East Berkshire Reading 30 
			  Buckinghamshire Aylesbury 20 
			  East Sussex Lewes 26 
			  Hampshire Petersfield 40 
			  Kent Maidstone 39 
			  Isle of Wight Newport 13 
			  Oxfordshire Kidlington 20 
			  Surrey Reigate 29 
			  West Sussex Chichester 31 
			 Regional total   248 
			 
			 South West Avon Lansdowne near Bath 28 
			  Cornwall Truro 15 
			  Devon Exeter 24 
			  Dorset Dorchester 26 
			  Gloucestershire Gloucester 24 
			  Somerset Taunton 20 
			  Wiltshire Swindon 26 
			 Regional total   163 
			 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside Humberside Hessle, Hull 29 
			  North Yorkshire Northallerton 22 
			  South Yorkshire Sheffield 41 
			  West Yorkshire Birkenshaw 54 
			 Regional total   146 
			 
			 West Midlands Hereford and Worcester Worcester 23 
			  Shropshire Shrewsbury 17 
			  Staffordshire Pirehill 31 
			  Warwickshire Leamington Spa 21 
			  West Midlands Birmingham 65 
			 Regional total   157

Fire Services: Perfluoro Octane Sulphanate

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on how many occasions in each of the last 10 years fire-fighting operations involved the use of materials containing perfluoro octane sulphanate.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Fire Services: Working Time Directive

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether there is a derogation from the Working Time Directive for retained firefighters who have other employment.

Parmjit Dhanda: Retained duty system firefighters are able to work beyond the 48 hours a week set by the working time regulations provided they have signed a waiver for their primary and secondary employment.

Flood Control

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's definition is of the probability of  (a) low,  (b) medium and  (c) high flood risk in terms of the frequency in years at which an area is likely to flood.

Iain Wright: The definitions of  (a) low,  (b) medium and  (c) high risk probability are defined in Table D.I. of Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) 'Development and Flood Risk', which Communities and Local Government published in December 2006.
	The definitions are as follows:
	 (a) Low Probability (Flood Zone 1)
	This zone comprises land assessed as having a less than one in 1,000 annual probability of river or sea flooding in any year (<0.1%)
	 (b) Medium probability (Flood Zone 2)
	This zone comprises land assessed as having between a one in 100 and one in 1,000 annual probability of river flooding (1 per cent. to 0.1 per cent. or between a one in 200 and one in 1,000 annual probability of sea flooding (0.5 per cent. to 1 per cent.) in any year.
	 (c) High probability (Flood Zone 3a)
	This zone comprises land assessed as having a one in 100 or greater annual probability of river flooding (>1%) or a one in 200 or greater annual probability of flooding from the sea (>0.5%) in any year.
	These flood zones refer to the probability of river and sea flooding, ignoring the presence of defences as these can be breached, overtopped and may not be in existence for the lifetime of the development.
	PPS 25 is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningand building/pdf/154271

Green Belt

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many hectares of designated Green Belt land lost their Green Belt designation in each Government Office Region in England in each year since 1997.

Iain Wright: The following table shows the net amount of designated green belt land lost by Government office region in hectares for the years for which data is available.
	
		
			  Net area loss of designated green belt by Government office region 
			   Net losses in hectares between: 
			  Government office region  1997 and 2003  2003 and 2004  2004 and 2006 
			 North East — — — 
			 North West — -20 -280 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber — — — 
			 East Midlands -190 -40 -580 
			 West Midlands -30 — -204 
			 East — — -448 
			 London -20 — — 
			 South East(1) — — -47,630 
			 South West — -230 — 
			 (1) The 2004 to 2006 figure includes 47,300 hectares of designated green belt land in New Forest DC and Test Valley DC which was designated as New Forest National Park in 2005. 
		
	
	Excluding the 47,300 hectares of green belt land which was designated as National Park in 2005, the total amount of green belt increased across England by 27,850 hectares over the nine-year period 1997 to 2006.

Home Information Packs

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance has been produced for local authorities on the enforcement of the home information pack regulations.

Yvette Cooper: The Department has produced procedural guidance for the home information pack regulations, including guidance on the enforcement provisions within the regulations. The Department has also produced guidance for enforcement authorities, following consultations with Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) and the Trading Standards Institute (TSI).

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the maximum time is that a local authority and water search in a home information pack can remain in place before it must be renewed.

Yvette Cooper: The HIPs (No. 2) Regulations 2007 do not specify how long a search report should remain in place before it must be renewed but require that a search must not be older than three months at the first point of marketing.

Home Information Packs: Finance

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 26 June 2007,  Official Report, column 633W, on home information packs: finance, by what mechanism funding is being provided to trading standards officers in Wales.

Yvette Cooper: Funding for trading standards officers in Wales is provided through the annual revenue settlement. Responsibility for the revenue settlement in Wales rests with the Welsh Assembly Government. In 2007-08 the settlement amounted to £3.7 billion.

Home Information Packs: Trading Standards Institute

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued to trading standards officers on the enforcement of home information pack regulations.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today (UIN 152384).

Home Information Packs: Valuation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under what circumstances mortgage lenders and automated valuation suppliers may use information from the Energy Performance Certificate register for automated valuations.

Yvette Cooper: The disclosure of Energy Performance Certificates and information obtained from them, whether obtained directly from the register or otherwise, is limited to the purposes set down in the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007.

Homelessness: Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent in London on rough sleepers by  (a) central Government and  (b) local authorities in each of the last five years.

Iain Wright: Homelessness grant is paid to local authorities to tackle homelessness, which includes rough sleeping. It is also paid direct to several voluntary sector agencies in London to help them tackle rough sleeping. Supporting People, introduced in 2003, also funds rough sleeper services. The following table indicates the amount of funding.
	In addition to the moneys outlined in the table, an extra £63 million has been made available under the Hotels Capital Improvement Programme in the last three years to improve hostels and day centres used by rough sleepers in London.
	
		
			   £ 
			  Homelessness Grant paid to local authorities in London to tackle homelessness, including tackling rough sleeping  
			 2003-04 24,452,574 
			 2004-05 22,085,000 
			 2005-06 21,080,764 
			 2006-07 22,676,155 
			 2007-08 21,771,500 
			   
			  Homelessness Grant paid direct to voluntary sector organisations in London to tackle rough sleeping  
			 2003-04 20,288,079 
			 2004-05 9,225,948 
			 2005-06 8,906,031 
			 2006-07 9,168,031 
			 2007-08 9,448.000 
			   
			  Supporting People programme—London rough sleeping  
			 2003-04 8,474,084 
			 2004-05 8,373,174 
			 2005-06 11,971,500 
			 2006-07 12,753,861

Housing

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of the housing stock in England is made up of three bedroom homes.

Yvette Cooper: The Survey of English Housing reported that 45 per cent. of households in England lived in three-bedroom dwellings in the financial year 2005-06.

Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of her Department's target of building 240,000 new dwellings a year in England she expects to be built by  (a) local authorities as council housing stock,  (b) housing associations for social tenure and  (c) the private sector for private sale.

Yvette Cooper: The Government are committed to tackling the problems of housing affordability and have announced plans to raise the annual housing supply target for 2016 from 200,000 to 240,000 additional homes a year.
	The recent Housing Green Paper "Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable" sets out further details of our proposals, including Government's plans for the level of affordable housing to be delivered in the years covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review, supported by investment of at least £8 billion. We are increasing outputs of new affordable housing to at least 70,000 by 2010-11 of which 45,000 will be for new social rented homes—50 per cent. more than this year, 2007-08.
	The detail of where additional housing of various types will be located is a matter for regional and local planning processes and functions.

Housing: Disabled

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many local authorities with housing responsibilities in England have an adapted homes register;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the merits of requiring all local authorities with housing responsibilities to maintain an adapted homes register;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the merits of the creation of a nationwide adapted homes register.

Iain Wright: The Department does not collect information about social landlords who hold adapted homes registers (otherwise known as accessible housing registers).
	The Government want to see social landlords make the best use of housing stock, including accommodation which is accessible or has been adapted. We recognise that accessible housing registers can be useful and the current statutory guidance to local authorities on the allocation of accommodation encourages their use.
	The Department's Disability Equality Scheme published in December 2006 includes a commitment to establish whether and what the role is for accessible housing registers (AHRs) within the context of our choice-based lettings policy(1) and the development of the National Register of Social Housing (NROSH).
	NROSH will be a central record of each individual unit of social housing (local authority and housing association stock). This includes property referencing, size type and age of dwelling, category of provision, decent homes standard, accessibility, tenure, rent, service charges and vacancy status. The Data Standards document describing these fields is on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingdataprojects/nationalregister
	Data collection is not yet complete.
	In addition, the Department is providing support (£760,000 over two years 2006--08) to develop a pan-London choice-based lettings scheme ('Capital Moves') including the development of a London-wide accessible housing register.
	(1) CBL schemes are about advertising available social housing for which applicants can bid. We have set a target for all local authorities to have implemented CBL by 2010.

Housing: Energy

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether an energy performance certificate will need to be commissioned for a new build domestic dwelling for sale.

Yvette Cooper: Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) will be required on the sale of all new dwellings. Where an EPC has been obtained on construction, it can be reused if the property is resold within the certificate's validity period.

Housing: Low Incomes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition she uses of overcrowding in relation to social housing.

Iain Wright: Under the standards set out in Section 324 of Part 10 of the Housing Act 1985 a dwelling is overcrowded when the number of people sleeping in the dwelling is such as to contravene either the 'room standard' or the 'space standard'.
	The room standard is breached if the number of people sleeping in a dwelling, and the number of rooms available as sleeping accommodation, are such that two people of opposite sexes who are not living together as husband and wife must sleep in the same room. Children under 10 do not count.
	The space standard specifies the maximum number of people who may sleep in a dwelling, and in the available rooms within it, having regard to (i) the number of available rooms of 50 square feet or more and (ii) the floor area of each room. Two calculations are required and the lower number applies. Babies under one year old do not count, and children between one and 10 count as half.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether National Register of Social Housing is maintained in-house or by an external company.

Yvette Cooper: The National Register of Social Housing is a database containing information on the individual dwellings which make up the stock of social housing in England. It is under development and currently contains records of 30 per cent. of the stock. The database is maintained in house by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Low Incomes

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many council-owned houses have been built for rent in each West Midlands metropolitan district since 1997.

Iain Wright: The number of council-owned houses built for rent for the period 1996-97 to 2006-07 as reported by the seven West Midlands metropolitan districts is shown as follows:
	
		
			   Permanent dwellings completed by local authorities 
			 Birmingham 0 
			 Coventry 0 
			 Dudley 0 
			 Sandwell 66 
			 Solihull 0 
			 Walsall 0 
			 Wolverhampton 0 
			  Source:  P2 new build from local authorities

Local Government

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what adopted local plans and unitary development plans are in force for each local planning authority, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) county; and what the month of adoption was in each case.

Yvette Cooper: Adopted local plans and UDPs are in force for all local planning authorities. Those plans which were adopted before September 2004 are "saved" until September 2007. Those adopted after September 2004 are "saved" for three years after adoption. Where local authorities have adopted development plan documents these will replace the local plans/UDPs in whole or in part. A table has been placed in the Library of the House showing the adoption dates of local plans and UDPs.

Mayor of London

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 11 December 2006,  Official Report, column 898W, on the Mayor of London, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse, including the costs incurred by the Mayor, which will be met by the Standards Board.

John Healey: The Standards Board's own costs in respect of the case against the London Mayor amount to £64,000. The costs payable by the board to the Mayor in connection with the case are estimated to be £120,000. The cost to the Adjudication Panel in respect of the case is £14,000.

Ordnance Survey: Government Departments

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies have purchased licences to use the Ordnance Survey Pictometry product.

Iain Wright: Pictometry® is not an Ordnance Survey product.
	BLOM Aerofilms Ltd., a private sector company, has the rights to market a Pictometry product in the United Kingdom. The product combines BLOM Aerofilms's oblique aerial imagery with viewing software patented by an American company, Pictometry International Corp.
	Ordnance Survey has a non-exclusive commercial agreement with BLOM Aerofilms to act as an authorised reseller of Pictometry of Great Britain. Information on sales of licences to use Pictometry within the United Kingdom is commercially sensitive to BLOM Aerofilms Ltd., given that there are other commercial providers of potentially competing products.

Ordnance Survey: Map Watch Initiative

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the purpose is of the Ordnance Survey's Map Watch initiative.

Iain Wright: The Ordnance Survey 'Map Watch' initiative is an internal departmental initiative, started in 2000, to encourage Ordnance Survey staff to identify potentially unlicensed extracts of Ordnance Survey mapping contained within third party publications, so that infringements of Crown copyright may be investigated and resolved.

Planning Permission: Purfleet

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what period and with whom she will consult consequent on the decision of the High Court in respect of her decision to reject the planning application submitted by George Wimpey for 571 residential units on former industrial land at Cory's Wharf, Purfleet; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Secretary of State will shortly write to George Wimpey, Thurrock borough council, Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, and other interested persons who appeared at the public inquiry, to invite them to submit written representations in respect of any material changes in planning circumstances that may have occurred since the close of the inquiry. Parties will be asked to submit any representations no later than three weeks from the date of the Secretary of State's letter. Alternatively, parties may ask for the inquiry to be re-opened. In deciding whether the inquiry should be re-opened, the Secretary of State will consider all views that may be expressed to her on this matter.

Planning Permission: Purfleet

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what factors and whose advice she took into account in deciding to call in the planning application made by George Wimpey for 571 residential units at the former industrial land at Cory's Wharf, Purfleet; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: In line with the then current policy on recovering planning appeals, set out in the statement to the House of Commons on 25 July 2000 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), the appeal was automatically recovered by the Secretary of State for her own determination in December 2004, rather than being decided by one of her Planning Inspectors, because it raised issues relating to residential development of more than 5 hectares or 150 or more houses.

Planning Permission: Purfleet

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons she rejected the inspector's findings made in respect of the planning application by George Wimpey for 571 residential units at the former industrial land at Cory's Wharf, Purfleet and issued an alternative determination; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The reasons for the Secretary of State's decision are set out in the decision letter of 2 October 2006, which is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planning-callins/pdf/195158
	Copies of the decision letter have been placed in the Library of both houses. Since this decision has now been quashed and falls to be redetermined by the Secretary of State, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the reasons for the decision.

Planning Permission: Vauxhall Tower

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make a statement on the ruling of the Information Tribunal regarding the consideration of the planning application by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Vauxhall Tower in South London.

Iain Wright: The Department for Communities and Local Government accepted the Information Tribunal Judgment in the particular case of the Vauxhall Tower planning application. Copies of the submissions by officials are available on the DCLG website. However, we consider each request for information on the particular facts of each case, in accordance with the provisions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Urban Areas: Trees

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if she will place in the Library a copy of the Trees in Towns II report commissioned by her Department;
	(2)  what research her Department and its predecessor commissioned into trees in urban areas over the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: We have commissioned one research project on trees in urban areas over the last five years, namely Trees in Towns II.
	Copies of the Trees in Towns II final report will be placed in the Library when it is published towards the end of November 2007.

TREASURY

Average Earnings

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the increase in average earnings in  (a) the whole labour market,  (b) the private sector and  (c) the public sector has been since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 9 October 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what increase in average earnings in (a) the whole labour market, (b) the private sector and (c) the public sector has been since 1997. I am replying in her absence. (155940)
	Growth in earnings is estimated from the Average Earnings Index (AEI). The AEI figures for Great Britain are collected and published monthly. The AEI does not cover the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	The monthly changes to the index and growth are published on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/tsdtablesl.asp?vlnk=emp. Calendar year comparisons are available on request.
	Each month 8900 companies are surveyed for the AEI, covering 12.8 million employees, which is just under half of all GB employees.
	I attach a table showing the average earnings index seasonally adjusted from 1997 until 2006 for the whole economy, public and private sectors.
	
		
			  Average Earnings Index: all employee jobs, main industrial sectors, seasonally adjusted, Great Britain 
			  Including bonuses, excluding arrears 
			   Whole economy (divisions 01-93)  Public sector  Private sector 
			  2000=100  Index  Annual growth (Percentage)  Index  Annual growth (Percentage)  Index  Annual growth (Percentage) 
			  LNMQ LNMU LNNJ LNKW LNKY LNKZ 
			 1997 86.8 — 89.6 — 86.2 — 
			 1998 91.3 5.1 92.5 3.3 91.0 5.6 
			 1999 95.7 4.8 96.4 4.2 95.5 5.0 
			 2000 100.0 4.5 100.0 3.8 100.0 4.7 
			 2001 104.5 4.5 105.0 5.0 104.3 4.3 
			 2002 108.2 3.6 109.3 4.1 107.9 3.5 
			 2003 111.9 3.5 114.8 5.0 111.3 3.1 
			 2004 116.8 4.3 119.8 4.4 116.0 4.2 
			 2005 121.5 4.1 125.4 4.7 120.6 4.0 
			 2006 126.5 4.1 130.0 3.6 125.7 4.2 
			 Total Growth 1997 to 2006 — 45.7 — 45.1 — 45.9 
			  Note: All figures based upon the calendar year.  Source: Annual Earnings Index, Office for National Statistics.

Child Tax Credit

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many recipients of child tax credits receive child support agency payments or child maintenance payments which are not taken into account in assessing the recipient's income.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not available.

Customs Officers: Manpower

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs officers were employed by HM Revenue and Customs in each English region in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: In April 2005, HM Customs and Excise was merged with the Inland Revenue to form HM Revenue and Customs. Numbers of staff in HM Customs and Excise are not available from that date. Previous numbers of HM Customs and Excise staff within the Government office regions, as well as those of the combined Department, are published annually in 'Civil Service Statistics' and at
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/reports/index.asp.
	The following table shows the number of staff in the Detection directorate, which is mainly engaged in anti-smuggling work, in each of the Government office regions. The substantial numbers of staff in other directorates engaged partly or wholly on work in the customs area are not identifiable from HMRC records.
	
		
			  GOR  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 East 139.1 431.8 464.4 506.1 577.84 
			 East Midlands 43.3 38.8 45.1 43.2 48.98 
			 North East 78.8 71.7 79.4 78.4 91.8 
			 North West 290 305.9 339.7 336.8 329.79 
			 South East(1) 2,491.7 2,187.5 2,398.4 2,575.7 2,611.01 
			 South West 154.5 150 135.3 132.2 120.37 
			 West Midlands 84.4 91.8 88.4 139.8 158.9 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 144.6 182.6 179.2 194.3 230.8 
			 Total 3,426.4 3,460.1 3,729.9 4,006.5 4,169.49 
			 (1) Includes London

Customs Officers: South West Region

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many Customs officers were permanently attached to  (a) seaports,  (b) airfields in (i) Cornwall, (ii) Devon, (iii) Dorset, (iv) Isle of Wight and (v) Hampshire in (A) 2001 and (B) 2007; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to increase the permanent presence of customs officers at  (a) seaports and  (b) airfields in (i) Cornwall, (ii) Devon, (iii) Dorset, (iv) Isle of Wight and (v) Hampshire, with particular reference to land-based officers doing uncanalised work; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: HMRC do not release the numbers of front line Customs staff that they deploy at a local level as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

Debts

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what proportion of personal debt is  (a) secured and  (b) unsecured; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the level of  (a) total,  (b) secured and  (c) unsecured personal debt in the UK is as a percentage of gross disposable income; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the level of  (a) total,  (b) secured,  (c) average secured,  (d) unsecured and  (e) average unsecured personal debt is in (i) the UK and (ii) each region; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 October 2007:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent questions on what proportion of personal debt is secured and unsecured, what these are as percentages of gross disposable income and what the average levels of these are in the UK and in each region of the UK. (156261, 156262, 156263)
	The information requested is given in the tables below. Statistics on personal debt by region of the UK are not available.
	
		
			  Table 1: Unsecured and secured debt as a proportion of personal debt 
			   Personal debt/total loans  ( £ million )  Unsecured/short-term loans  ( £ million )  Secured/long-term loans  ( £ million )  Unsecured/short-term loans as percentage of total loans  Secured/long-term loans as percentage of total loans 
			 1995 478,629 77,474 401,155 16 84 
			 1996 499,358 80,084 419,274 16 84 
			 1997 531,934 88,412 443,522 17 83 
			 1998 567,788 97,404 470,384 17 83 
			 1999 617,653 109,208 508,445 18 82 
			 2000 675,433 124,323 551,110 18 82 
			 2001 749,249 140,891 608,358 19 81 
			 2002 848,038 157,748 690,290 19 81 
			 2003 958,210 163,506 794,704 17 83 
			 2004 1,083,349 183,390 899,959 17 83 
			 2005 1,158,336 194,129 964,207 17 83 
			 2006 1,278,332 205,012 1,073,320 16 84 
			  Source:  Table A64 of United Kingdom Economic Accounts http://www. statistics. gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=1904 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Total personal debt, unsecured debt and secured debt as a proportion of household gross disposable income 
			   Household gross disposable income (£ million)  Personal debt as percentage of gross disposable income  Unsecured debt as percentage of gross disposable income  Secured debt as percentage of gross disposable income 
			 1995 497,593 96 16 81 
			 1996 526,366 95 15 80 
			 1997 559,941 95 16 79 
			 1998 582,790 97 17 81 
			 1999 608,988 101 18 83 
			 2000 643,415 105 19 86 
			 2001 686,312 109 21 89 
			 2002 709,048 120 22 97 
			 2003 740,389 129 24 107 
			 2004 765,683 141 24 118 
			 2005 807,989 143 24 119 
			 2006 836,911 153 24 128 
			  Notes:  1. Differences due to rounding.  2. Personal debt numbers consistent with those in Table 1 above.   Source:  Tables A3 8 and A64 of United Kingdom Economic Accounts. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=1904 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Total personal debt, unsecured debt and secured debt per head of population 
			   Total UK population (Thousand)  Average personal debt  (£)  Average unsecured debt  (£)  Average secured debt  (£) 
			 1995 58,025 8,249 1,335 6,913 
			 1996 58,164 8,585 1,377 7,208 
			 1997 58,314 9,122 1,516 7,606 
			 1998 58,475 9,710 1,666 8,044 
			 1999 58,684 10,525 1,861 8,664 
			 2000 58,886 11,470 2,111 9,359 
			 2001 59,113 12,675 2,383 10,291 
			 2002 59,322 14,296 2,659 11,636 
			 2003 59,554 16,090 2,746 13,344 
			 2004 59,834 18,106 3,065 15,041 
			 2005 60,218 19,236 3,224 16,012 
			 2006 60,533 21,118 3,387 17,731 
			  Note:  Personal debt numbers consistent with those in Table 1 above.   Source:  Table A64 of United Kingdom Economic Accounts. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=1904 Home population Table 1.5 The Blue Book 2007. http://www. statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=l143

Debts: Cornwall

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of personal debt incurred by people living in Cornwall was in each year since 1979.

Angela Eagle: HM Treasury does not hold data concerning the information requested.

Departments: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which private consultancy firms  (a) his Department and  (b) agencies which report to his Department engaged in each of the last three years; which programmes or projects each firm worked on; and what the approximate cost to the Department or agency concerned was of each engagement.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury group's spending on consultancy since 2001-02 is set out in table 7.4 on page 91 of the 2006-07 annual report and accounts, available from http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/departmental _reports/annual_report07.cfm. The further details requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departments: Official Cars

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what visits he has made involving a mix of political and official engagements where Government Car Service vehicles were used in 2007; and whether the Government was reimbursed a proportion of the cost in each case.

Angela Eagle: All travel is undertaken in accordance with Travel by Ministers and the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the House Library.

Departments: Public Bodies

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his Department's  (a) executive agencies,  (b) executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs),  (c) advisory NDPBs,  (d) tribunal NDPBs,  (e) trading funds and  (f) public corporations for each financial year since 2005-06.

Angela Eagle: In the financial year 2006-07, the Treasury had one Executive agency, the Debt Management Office and two NDPBs, the Public Services Productivity Panel, and the Statistics Commission. The abolition of the PSPP was announced in the 2006 pre-Budget report. The Statistics Commission will be replaced by a new Statistics Board, independent of the Treasury, under the Statistics Bill.
	The Office of Government Commerce, part of the HM Treasury Group, has one trading fund, OGCbuying.solutions.

Departments: Publicity

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's projected spending is on advertising and promotional campaigns for  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09, broken down by cost relating to (i) television, (ii) radio and (iii) print media.

Angela Eagle: The only form of advertising spending planned by the Treasury for 2007-08 is recruitment advertising, in print and electronic media. The Treasury's budget for recruitment costs (including other costs besides recruitment advertising) for 2007-08 is £116,000. Line by line budgets for 2008-09 have not yet been set.

Disabled

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were registered as disabled in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) the UK in each year since 1997; and how many of those registered were in employment in each case.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated October 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about how many people were registered as disabled and how many of those registered were in employment in each year since 1997. (156714)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles employment statistics for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation (1LO) definitions. ONS does not have data on registered disabled people but the above surveys do collect information on the disability status of respondents, based on the respondents' self-assessment.
	The table attached, shows the number of disabled people and of those the number who were in employment in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK, for the 12 month period ending in February for 1999 to 2004 from the local area LFS and for the 12 month period ending in March for 2003 to 2006, from the APS. The table also shows employment rates which allow changes to be seen in the context of changing population numbers. Annual estimates are not available prior to 1999.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the annual Labour Force Survey and the Annual Population Survey are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Disabled( 1)  people of working age( 2)  in employment in the Jarrow parliamentary constituency, South Tyneside, the North East region and the United Kingdom 
			  Thousand 
			   Jarrow  South Tyneside 
			   All disabled( 1)  In employment  All disabled( 1)  In employment 
			  12 months ending  Level  Level  Rate( 3 ) (%)  Level  Level  Rate( 3)  (%) 
			 February 1999 11 3 27 19 3 18 
			 February 2000 13 4 34 20 7 34 
			 February 2001 11 5 41 20 7 34 
			 February 2002 11 4 40 19 7 36 
			 February 2003 11 5 44 21 8 37 
			 February 2004 12 5 38 22 8 37 
			 March 2005 12 5 39 22 9 41 
			 March 2006 11 4 40 21 8 36 
			 Marsh 2007 10 4 35 21 8 36 
		
	
	
		
			  Thousand 
			   North East  United Kingdom 
			   All disabled( 1)  In employment  All disabled( 1)  In employment 
			  12 months ending  Level  Level  Rate ( 3)  (%)  Level  Level  Rate( 3)  (%) 
			 February 1999 356 123 35 6,219 2,724 44 
			 February 2000 357 124 35 6,471 2,952 46 
			 February 2001 334 118 35 6,718 3,110 46 
			 February 2002 348 125 36 6,747 3,157 47 
			 February 2003 351 132 38 6,817 3,234 47 
			 February 2004 361 143 39 6,879 3,284 4S 
			 March 2005 358 147 41 6,853 3,358 49 
			 March 2006 353 147 42 6,838 3,374 49 
			 Marsh 2007 359 161 45 6,809 3,352 49 
			 (1) Includes DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) and working-limiting disabled.  (2) Includes men aged 16 to 64 and women age 16 to 59.  (3) Disabled people in employment of working-age as a percentage of all disabled people.   Note:  1. Estimates are subject to sampling variability.  2. Changes in the estimates over time should be treated with particular caution.   Source:  Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population survey.

Domicile: Taxation

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many investigations his Department instigated into claimants of non-domicile tax status in the last 12 months for which information is available; and if he will make statement;
	(2)  how many investigations instigated by his Department into claimants of non-domicile tax status resulted in claimants being  (a) fined and  (b) imprisoned for wrongfully claiming non-domicile status in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many people  (a) successfully and  (b) unsuccessfully applied for non-domicile tax status in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  how many investigations were undertaken into the income and assets held overseas by non-domiciled UK taxpayers in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what estimate his Department has made of the number of people claiming non-domicile tax status in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Information on investigations relating to and applications for non-domicile status are not held centrally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
	Claims for non-domicile status are not all processed separately from the overall tax assessment and are, therefore, not recorded separately. However, HMRC does know the number of taxpayers who have indicated non-domicile status through self-assessment. The following table shows the number of taxpayers who have done so through the SA return over the past 10 years. These figures cannot be broken down by month.
	
		
			  Tax year  Number of non-domicile claims 
			 1996-97 68,000 
			 1997-98 83,000 
			 1998-99 91,000 
			 1999-2000 98,000 
			 2000-01 106,000 
			 2001-02 111,000 
			 2002-03 110,000 
			 2003-04 111,000 
			 2004-05 115,000 
			 2005-06 114,000

Drug Seizures

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account is taken of past quantities of heroin and cocaine seized by HM Revenue and Customs in setting targets for future seizures; for what reason equivalent seizure targets are not set for  (a) ecstasy and  (b) cannabis; and if he will make a statement

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what quantities of  (a) heroin,  (b) cocaine,  (c) ecstasy and  (d) cannabis were seized as a result of HM Revenue and Customs operations in each of the last four years;
	(2)  what the seizure quantity targets were for  (a) heroin,  (b) cocaine,  (c) ecstasy and  (d) cannabis in each of the last four years.

Angela Eagle: Seizure quantity targets for 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 for the Concerted Inter Agency Drugs Action group (CIDA) are as follows:
	
		
			  Kilograms 
			  Financial year  Heroin  Cocaine 
			 2005-06(1) 5,300 13,200 
			 2004-05 4,600 12,600 
			 2003-04 4,000 12,000 
			 (1) The targets set for each of the years 2005-06, 2004-05, 2003 -04 were joint targets for the agencies that formed the Concerted Inter-agency Drugs Action group (CIDA). The individual agencies that formed CIDA, including HMRC did not have their own specific targets. 
		
	
	No seizure targets were set for ecstasy or cannabis.
	HM Revenue & Customs was one of the contributing agencies to CIDA's overall seizure target quantities. HMRC seized the following quantities of drugs in each of the last four years.
	
		
			  Kilograms 
			  Financial year  Heroin  Cocaine  Ecstasy  Cannabis 
			 2006-07(1) 527 2,368 1,212 62,966 
			 2005-06 1,057 5,798 468 41,611 
			 2004-05 1,613 8,606 740 57,504 
			 2003-04 1,626 (2)20,727 1,245 57,617 
			 (1) When the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) became operational on 1 April 2006, primacy for, and the resources associated with the investigation of Class A drugs cases transferred to SOCA. (2) The large quantity of cocaine seized in this year is due to the culmination of several long running operations. 
		
	
	HMRC's seizure target for 2006-07 was 700kgs for heroin and 2,600kgs for cocaine. In setting the targets for 2007-08 for heroin and cocaine, HM Revenue & Customs used their 2005-06 results and stripped out those seizures that were generated by the area of the Department that transferred to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Drug Seizures: South West Region

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantity of  (a) heroin,  (b) cocaine,  (c) ecstasy,  (d) cannabis and  (e) firearms has been seized by Customs officers in (i) seaports and (ii) airfields in (A) Cornwall, (B) Devon, (C) Dorset, (D) Isle of Wight and (E) Hampshire in (1) 2001, (2) 2002 and (3) in the last year for which records are available; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: National information on seizures made by HM Revenue and Customs since 2003 is contained in their annual reports.
	Information of seizures by location cannot be disclosed as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

Financial Services: Bermuda

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of whether the banking and financial sector of Bermuda is  (a) sufficiently transparent and  (b) regulated and subject to oversight that meets European and other international norms designed to combat financial and white collar crime; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: In 1999 the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda jointly commissioned an in-depth independent review of financial regulation in those territories. This review, carried out by KPMG and published on 27 October 2000, assessed the extent to which these Overseas Territories comply with international standards and good practice in the way they regulate their financial services sectors.
	Bermuda is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce and of the Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors, which are both observers bodies to the Financial Action Taskforce. Bermuda is also a member of the Egmont Group, the organisation for sharing information between Financial Intelligence Units. The Bermuda Monetary Authority is a member of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions, which requires members to enter into a memorandum of understanding to mutually share information.
	The International Monetary Fund conducted a review of Bermuda's financial sector regulation and supervision in early 2003 which is publicly available at www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2005/cr0598.pdf and www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2005/cr0599.pdf. This describes the financial, regulatory, and supervisory framework as well developed in banking, the key areas of securities regulation, and Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the International Monetary Fund are currently undertaking a further assessment of regulation and supervision in Bermuda.

Financial Services: Pay

Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of City bonuses on  (a) London's housing market and  (b) increases in housing prices in London in the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: HM Treasury has made no explicit assessment of the impact of City bonuses on London's housing market. Prospects for the housing market are examined as part of the usual Budget and pre-Budget report forecasting process.

Financial Services: Pay

Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake an evaluation of the adequacy of the tax rate on City bonuses.

Jane Kennedy: The Government keep all aspects of the tax system under review as part of the Budget cycle

HM Revenue and Customs: Correspondence

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Chairman of HM Customs and Revenue expects to reply to the letter of 19 July from the hon. Member for Aylesbury on the tax credit case of Mr. and Mrs. D. of Aylesbury (ref. JE875300A); and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Chairman of HM Revenue and Customs recently replied and apologises to the hon. Member for the delay in doing so.

HM Revenue and Customs: Travel

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the travelling and subsistence costs for mobile detection teams within the detection directorate of HM Revenue and Customs were in each of the last four years.

Angela Eagle: All frontline detection staff are deployed on flexible, mobile basis. Total travel and subsistence expenditure for the detection directorate is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2006-07 6,537,486 
			 2005-06 6,378,546 
			 2004-05 5,713,698 
			 2003-04 5,931,342

Inheritance Tax

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many estates in 2006-07 were not liable to inheritance tax as a consequence of the exemption available for  (a) spouses and  (b) civil partners.

Jane Kennedy: No such estimates are available for 2006-07, because the supporting information is not complete.

Insolvency: Football

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which professional football clubs have gone into administration leaving an unpaid debt to HM Revenue and Customs since 2000.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs are not in a position to provide such information about individual businesses, to do so would breach taxpayer confidentiality.

Insolvency: Football

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) tax and  (b) national insurance revenue has been (i) lost and (ii) written off in relation to each professional football club which has entered into administration since 2000.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs are not in a position to provide information about individual businesses, as to do so would breach taxpayer confidentiality.

International Monetary Fund: Public Appointments

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the suitability of  (a) European and  (b) non-European candidates for the post of Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has held on nominating a non-European candidate for the post of Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what criteria his Department uses to assess candidates for nomination for the post of Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The UK supports an open, transparent and meritocratic process for the selection of the Managing Director of the IMF, with the best candidate for the job selected regardless of nationality. The Chancellor has made this clear to other Finance Ministers both publicly and privately, including at the 9 July meeting of ECOFIN.
	In selecting the successor to Rodrigo de Rato, the IMF's Executive Board put in place for the first time a selection process designed to deliver the UK's preferred objectives. This included a clear job description, a public timetable, a month-long nominations period, an interview stage—and an invitation for applications from all member countries. All of these steps were followed and by the close of nominations on 31 August two highly credible candidates had been put forward: Dominique Strauss-Kahn of France and Josef Tosovsky of the Czech Republic.
	Before determining which of the two candidates to support, the UK compared their qualifications and experience to the job description set out by the Executive Board, available on the IMF website at www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2007/pr07159.htm and concluded that Dominique Strauss-Kahn would be best able to succeed in pushing forward significant reform at the Fund. For this reason, the UK Executive Director supported his candidacy and the UK welcomed Mr. Strauss-Kahn's appointment on 28 September.
	The UK will in future continue to support a similarly open and transparent process for all senior appointments at both the IMF and the World Bank.

Landfill Tax

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much landfill tax was paid by  (a) waste disposal authorities and  (b) other local authorities in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: It is not possible using landfill tax receipts data to determine how much revenue is received from local authorities. This is because registered landfill site operators pay the tax to HM Revenue and Customs and pass on the cost to their customers through the disposal charges they set. The origin of the landfilled waste is not recorded on the tax return.

Landfill Tax

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much landfill tax was hypothecated to local authorities via the Revenue Support Grant Settlements in each of the last four financial years.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 July 2007,  Official Report, column 936W.

National Income: Cornwall

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the gross value added was for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in each year since 2004.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 9 October 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning Gross Value Added (GVA) for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in each year since 2004. I am replying in her absence. (156667)
	Regional Gross Value Added (GVA) data are produced using the official statistical geographies known as NUTS (Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics). GVA data exist for the NUTS2 region of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for the time period 1995-2004. These data were provided in the PQ response Official Report of 16 July 2007, Volume 463, Col 62, which requested Gross Value Added in Cornwall in each year since 1979.
	ONS plan to publish regional GVA data up to and including 2006 for NUTS1 regions and 2005 for NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions in December 2007.

National Insurance Contributions

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what percentage of people in  (a) Cambridgeshire and  (b) the United Kingdom who have been informed that their National Insurance contributions do not meet the required level to qualify for the basic state pension in each of the last 10 tax years have made voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions up to the level required to qualify for the basic state pension;
	(2)  what percentage of people in  (a) Cambridgeshire and  (b) the United Kingdom who hold National Insurance numbers have made National Insurance contributions during each of the last 10 tax years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 8 October 2007
	HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) maintains National Insurance records but does not hold the precise data requested by the hon. Member. In particular data are not held by county of residence.
	Each year HMRC tells certain customers where their annual National Insurance contributions do not meet the qualifying level for basic state pension purposes for a tax year and how to pay the amount of voluntary contributions needed to make good the shortfall.
	The following table gives detail for each year on a national basis.
	
		
			   1996-97 to 2001-02  year breakdown not available  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Number of deficiency notices issued(1) 10,021,682 3,785,747 3,664,485 4,719,208 
			 Number of receipts by end of March 2007 i.e. voluntary contributions made. 329,046 129,411 105,774 60,031 
			 (1) The tax years shown are the years in which the shortfall occurred as opposed to the year in which the notice was issued. 
		
	
	The percentage of people with National Insurance numbers who make a contribution in any year is not available.

Northern Rock

Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the guarantee announced for deposits in Northern Rock covers unlimited new deposits into existing accounts; and for how long it is expected to continue.

Alistair Darling: On 17 September I announced that, should it be necessary, the Government, with the Bank of England, would put in place arrangements that would guarantee all the existing deposits in Northern Rock Plc. These arrangements would continue during the current instability in the financial markets.
	The Government have today announced that these arrangements will be extended to cover all new retail deposits in Northern Rock Plc. The arrangements will cover all retail deposits taken since 19 September. Northern Rock Plc will pay an appropriate fee for the extension of the arrangements, which is designed to ensure that the company does not receive a commercial advantage.

Office for National Statistics: Directories

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest version of the National Statistics Postcode Directory.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 October 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question requesting that a copy of the latest version of the National Statistics Postcode Directory be placed in the House of Commons Library (156003).
	The quarterly Directory is a database file, available in a number of formats, which is used primarily for data processing. The Directory has not been developed for searches of individual postcodes and so does not have a user interface.
	A free postcode searching facility is available through the GIGateway website: http://www.gigateway.org.uk/areasearch/default.html which contains all of the data available on the latest August '07 version of the Directory. This will provide you with direct access to the information held on the Directory.
	The Parliamentary Constituencies held on the Directory are the current constituencies.
	If you require any further information please contact Alistair Calder (alistair.calder@ons.gsi.gov.uk or 01329 813562).

Personal Income

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average  (a) annual incomes and  (b) annual gross disposable household incomes were in (i) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall, (ii) the South West, (iii) England and (iv) the UK in 2006.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 October 2007:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning annual incomes and gross disposable household income (GDHI) in Cornwall, the South West, England and the United Kingdom in 2006. (156664)
	Estimates of income are available back to 1995 and the latest year available is 2005. These data were provided in the PQ response Official Report of 5 June 2007, Volume 461, Col 474. ONS plan to publish regional GDHI for 2006 in April 2008.

Smuggling: Boats

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many uncanalised yacht and pleasure craft are estimated to have entered the UK in each year since 2003; and how many interventions or challenges have been made on yacht and pleasure craft by HM Revenue and Customs or other UK authorities since 2003.

Angela Eagle: HM Revenue and Customs have not made any estimate of the number of yacht and pleasure craft arrivals to the UK.
	We do not record centrally the number of challenges made on such craft.

Smuggling: Boats

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what border controls HM Revenue and Customs exercise on  (a) uncanalised yachts and  (b) pleasure craft traffic, (i) entering and (ii) leaving the UK; and how many seizures of articles subject to an import prohibition have been made by HM Revenue and Customs in each year since 2003, broken down by category of item; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs challenge, board and search yachts and pleasure craft on an intelligence-led basis. We do not centrally record seizures from such craft separately from other modes of transport.
	National seizure figures are available in the HM Revenue and Customs Annual Report.

Smuggling: Boats

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) records and  (b) estimates have been made of the number of uncanalised yacht and pleasure craft entering the UK each year since 2003; and how many challenges have been made in respect of such craft by HM Revenue and Customs or other UK authority since 2003.

Angela Eagle: HM Revenue and Customs have not made any estimate of the number of yacht and pleasure craft arrivals to the UK. No record is kept of the number of such vessels entering the UK.
	We do not record centrally the number of challenges made on such craft.

Tax Yields: Cornwall

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was received into the public purse from people in Cornwall by  (a) Pay As You Earn,  (b) national insurance,  (c) VAT,  (d) corporation tax and  (e) road tax in each year since 1979.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 9 October 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the amount of tax revenue raised in Cornwall per annum. (156665)
	The Office for National Statistics publishes regional estimates of Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) which include data for taxes on incomes and wealth paid by households. Data are available from 1995-2005. Regional estimates for expenditure based taxes and duties, for example VAT, are not available. Taxes paid by corporations are also unavailable on a regional basis.
	Table A contains estimates of household taxes paid by residents of Cornwall and the Isles of Stilly from 1995 to 2005.
	
		
			  Table A: Taxes generated per annum millions( 1,2) 
			   Cornwall and Isles of Scilly( 3) 
			 1995 549 
			 1996 518 
			 1997 523 
			 1998 608 
			 1999 627 
			 2000 673 
			 2001 717 
			 2002 729 
			 2003 764 
			 2004 841 
			 2005 909 
			 (1) These data are at current prices. They are not deflated to account for increases in prices over time. Regional data are not available on a constant price (deflated) basis. (2) These estimates are taken from the most recent release of regional GDHI data, published in March 2007. (3 )Data are presented for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly combined. These data cannot be disaggregated into the two constituent areas.

Taxation: Gambling

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assumptions his Department has made regarding the behavioural changes necessary in order for receipts from remote gaming duty to equal those anticipated in the 2007 Financial Statement and Budget Report;
	(2)  how much revenue he expects to receive from remote gaming duty in each of the next five years.

Angela Eagle: Receipts from Remote Gaming Duty were forecast on the basis that existing Remote Gaming providers are located in tax havens and would not choose to relocate in Great Britain under any rate of taxation. Even at 0 per cent. Remote Gaming Duty, we expected the presence of irrecoverable VAT alone to prevent these companies choosing to relocate in Great Britain.
	Revenue estimates of the Budget changes to gambling taxation were published in the 2007 Financial Statement and Budget Report.

Taxation: National Lottery

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Treasury has raised in duty from the sale of National Lottery tickets in each year since the Lottery was established; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Revenues from gambling taxes are published in the HM Revenue and Customs Betting, Gaming and Lottery Duties Statistical Factsheet, available at http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm? task=facbetting

Taxation: Pensioners

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the tax changes announced in the 2007 budget due to be implemented in 2008 on a woman pensioner aged between 60 and 65; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: Tax changes announced in Budget 2007 were part of a package of reforms to support work, families and pensioners. The exact impact of the reforms on individuals including women pensioners aged between 60 and 64 will depend both on their own incomes, and also the circumstances of the household in which they live, for example the income and age of any partner, and family eligibility for tax credits and benefits.

Unemployment: Young People

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many 18 to 24-year-olds were not in full-time education, employment or training in each  (a) local authority area and  (b) parliamentary constituency in the latest period for which figures are available; and what proportion of the population of 18 to 24-year-olds this represented in each case.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 9 October 2007:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about young people not in employment, full-time education or training. I am replying in her absence. (155992)
	Tables 1 and 2 attached, show the numbers of 18 to 24 year olds not in full-time education, employment or training, resident in Great Britain, parliamentary constituencies and local authorities, for the 12 months ending in March 2007 from the Annual Population Survey. The tables also show these numbers as percentages of the 18 to 24 year old populations in the areas.
	Estimates for a subset of the population in a small geographical area, are based on very small sample sizes, and are therefore subject to large margins of uncertainty.
	As the information is extensive, copies of these tables have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Valuation Office Agency: ICT

Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purpose the Valuation Office Agency joined PISCES; on what date; and at what cost.

Jane Kennedy: In January 2006 the VGA joined PISCES (Property Information System Common Exchange Standards) to enable it to contribute to the development of common standards for the holding—and where authorised—transfer of information relating to commercial properties. Executive membership costs £10,000 plus VAT per year.

VAT: Helmets

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons VAT is charged on child cycling helmets.

Jane Kennedy: VAT is not chargeable on any pedal cycle helmet which satisfies the requirements of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive (Directive 89/686/EEC).

Welfare Tax Credits

Joan Walley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice is given to claimants when there is a significant delay in amending a claimant's award notice following a change in their circumstances to enable them to calculate their tax credit entitlement when payments continue.

Jane Kennedy: Tax credits award notices and accompanying guidance notes, together with the guidance notes that accompany claim forms, all explain that changes in income can affect entitlement and encourage claimants to tell HM Revenue and Customs as soon as their income changes. Where a customer has not received a new award notice following a change in their circumstances, they can ring the Tax Credits Helpline and ask for a recalculation of their award using the new information.

Welfare Tax Credits

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department paid through the tax credit system to clients as compensation in lieu of any bank charges incurred on their personal accounts while involved with the tax credit system in the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The circumstances in which HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make compensation payments to its customers are explained in the Department's fact sheet, "Complaints and Putting Things Right", which is available at www.hmrc.gov.uk
	HMRC does not separately record the value of payments made to reimburse customers' bank charges.

Welfare Tax Credits: Appeals

Mike Wood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what process is followed by HM Revenue and Customs when dealing with appeals against the decisions they make in calculating child and working tax credit entitlement.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs' guidance for dealing with appeals in relation to tax credits decisions can be found in the Tax Credits Manual which is available on their website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ntcmanual/appeals/ntc0040000.htm

Welfare Tax Credits: Bournemouth

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid to recipients of tax credits in Bournemouth in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07.

Jane Kennedy: Estimates of the numbers of families with tax credits awards, including information on overpayments and underpayments by constituency and county, based on final family circumstances and incomes, for 2005-06, is available in the HMRC publication "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Annual Awards 2005-06. Supplements on Payments in 2005-06. Geographical Analysis", which is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personaltax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm
	Estimates for 2006-07 tax credit awards are due to be published in May 2008 when family circumstances and incomes have been finalised.